What happens if the Ryder Cup scores are tied? Everything we know about how the final day works

Team Europe and Team USA are competing to win the Ryder Cup, and there is a scenario where the two teams are tied at the end of day three at Bethpage Black

Team Europe are targeting Ryder Cup victory on American turf for the first time in over ten years, though the tournament ending in a draw would create a slightly unusual situation. The last occasion Europe returned from across the pond triumphant was back in 2012 with the legendary ‘Miracle in Medinah’.

Ever since that memorable triumph, the host nation has claimed every subsequent edition of the Ryder Cup. Rory McIlroy and his teammates face another intimidating challenge at Bethpage Black.

The Team Europe squad is mainly made up of the same players who secured victory in Rome two years ago, with Rasmus Hojgaard taking over from his twin brother Nicolai being the sole alteration to captain Luke Donald’s team. Team Europe have the opportunity to etch their names into Ryder Cup folklore with a triumph away from home, though McIlroy had already recognised the threat that Team USA presented.

“So I’ve said this for the last probably six or seven years to anyone that will listen: I think one of the biggest accomplishments in golf right now is winning an away Ryder Cup,” McIlroy admitted ahead of the tournament. “And that’s what we’re going to do at Bethpage.”

Typically, golf tournaments are decided by the competitor who finishes the course with the lowest number of shots across a designated period of days. However as a team competition, the Ryder Cup operates under a different scoring system compared to conventional individual events.

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The Ryder Cup sees Team Europe and Team USA go head-to-head in various golfing formats, battling it out for 28 points over the weekend. One point is up for grabs for a win in a foursome, fourball or singles match over 18 holes, with both teams receiving half a point if a match ends all square.

Victory in the Ryder Cup can be claimed once a team has racked up more than 14 points, with a crucial 12 points on offer in the singles matches on the final day of this prestigious tournament. However, if the overall scores are tied at the end of the Ryder Cup, the trophy stays with the previous winners.

In 2025, this would mean that Team Europe had successfully defended the Ryder Cup on American soil, despite not technically winning. The Ryder Cup has ended in a draw twice in its history, with the USA retaining in 1969 and Team Europe doing the same in 1989.

The Ryder Cup features three different types of golf: foursomes, fourballs and singles matches. The foursomes, which kick off the tournament on Friday, see two players from each team pitted against each other.

Teammates take turns to hit the same ball and a point is awarded to the pair who win the most holes by the end of their round. If the teams are level, they each receive half a point.

Fourballs also involve two teammates going up against another pair, but unlike in foursomes, each player hits their own ball. The golfer who records the lowest score among the four players wins the hole for his team. The same scoring system is used.

In singles matches, golfers go head-to-head with an opponent, earning a point for winning the most individual holes. The final day of the event sees 12 singles matches take place, adding to the drama.

It would be quite the feat if Team Europe were to triumph at Bethpage Black. The home team has won eight of the last nine Ryder Cups, with the ‘Miracle in Medinah’ being the sole exception.

Team Europe have managed four away victories in the history of the Ryder Cup, these coming in 1987, 1995, 2004 and 2012. On the other hand, Team USA’s away wins were achieved in 1937, 1949, 1953, 1961, 1965, 1973, 1977, 1981 and 1993.