The Ryder Cup was held in continental Europe for only the second time in its history. And this was not the only reason that the 42nd staging of the inter-continental competition proved to be a remarkable golf event. After a strong start from the guests from the USA, team Europe wrested control of the match on Friday afternoon and went on to win the Ryder Cup with an impressive team performance. 17.5:10.5 was the final score, in favour of captain Thomas Bjørn’s team. “Le Golf National” and Paris were fantastic hosts of the 42nd Ryder Cup, at which BMW was Official Partner.
Captain Thomas Bjørn and his team thrilled the 270,000 fans at Le Golf National. Only after the first four matches did the defending champions from the USA have their nose in front. From that point on, the Europeans did not lose a single session. Stand-out performers in a unified and hungry European team were the pairing of Tommy Fleetwood and Francesco Molinari, who won all four doubles matches together – a feat never before achieved by a European pair. As such, it was fitting that Molinari should win the point that secured European victory. Sergio García also made his own little bit of history: the Spaniard has now won 25.5 points for Europe and replaces the previous record holder Sir Nick Faldo as Europe’s top points scorer in the Ryder Cup.
The 2018 Ryder Cup had everything that makes golf so special: passion, emotion, and outstanding performances. Based on the world rankings of the 24 players, the 42nd Ryder Cup was the strongest ever – and the USA came into the competition as favourites. However, roared on by an enthusiastic home crowd, an inspired European team raised its game and took a commanding victory – thanks in part to the strong team spirit nurtured among the hosts.
BMW was a partner of the Ryder Cup for the seventh time in Paris. A fleet of 225 saloon cars from the latest range of BMW models ensured that the players, organisers and VIP guests always arrived at their destination on time and relaxed. The 270,000 visitors and 1,500 guests of BMW were also able to enjoy sheer driving pleasure and the unique atmosphere at Le Golf National.
Official Partner BMW came up with something very special for golf fans all over the world in 2018 – the Ryder Cup year: over the months leading up to the event, a variety of online challenges were run on the BMW Golfsport website, Facebook and Instagram channels, and at selected BMW tournaments on the European Tour, to select the members of “Ryder Cup Team BMW”.
Together with BMW, the team members were given unique opportunity to watch the 2018 Ryder Cup live in Paris, and to take a look behind the scenes of the iconic competition. Accommodation in the Hilton Opera Paris, tickets to the grandstand on the first tee on Friday morning, and several meetings with José Maria Olazábal were among the highlights of this unforgettable experience.
The European selection has enjoyed extraordinary success in recent Ryder Cup history. Since 2002, Europe has won six of eight editions with its incredible team spirit. However, it is the USA who will contest 2018 as defending champions. Thomas Bjørn is faced with the task of reclaiming the Ryder Cup as captain. The Dane has a remarkable record. He has contested five Ryder Cups (three as a player, two as vice captain) – and Europe won every time.
He wants to continue this streak in Paris in 2018. Bjørn’s team started their qualifying campaign in August 2017 at the D+D REAL Czech Masters, and will end it after the 2018 Made in Denmark. The top four players on the European Points List (based on the European Tour results) will qualify, as will the top four players on the World Points List (based on the world rankings), who did not qualify via the European Points. Team Europe will be rounded off with four wild cards available to Bjørn.
Apart from Phil Mickelson, no USA player has contested the Ryder Cup as often as Jim Furyk. As captain, Furyk, who is known for his eccentric swing, is faced with the task of claiming his country’s first away victory in the Ryder Cup since 1993. However, at the victory in 2016, it appeared that the days of the Americans going it as lone fighters rather than as a united team are over. If things stay the same in 2018 – which is to be expected from Furyk –, it promises to be an incredibly exciting duel.
The qualifying period for Team USA got underway in August 2017 and will end after the PGA Championship, on 12th August 2018. Eight players will qualify in this period, via a ranking list. Furyk will award his four wild cards. He will select three players after the Dell Technologies Championship on 3rd September 2018, he has until after the BMW Championship (9th September 2018) to make his fourth captain’s pick.
