THERE ARE 28 points available over the three-day contest. Europe need 14 to retain the cup as, in the event of a tie, the Ryder Cup remains with the holders.

There are 12 players on each team. Next Friday and Saturday Europe and the US will square off over the fourballs and foursomes with eight points available per day.

The home skipper gets to decide on the order of play, whether foursomes are played in the morning and fourballs in the afternoon or vice versa. In a break with tradition, Azinger has opted to get the competition under way with foursomes.

In foursomes and fourballs, there are two players on each team. Foursomes is where the golfers play alternate shots, with one player teeing off on the odd-numbered holes and the other on the even.

Fourballs is a format where golfers play their own ball, with the lowest score, if there is one, winning the hole. In both formats, it's matchplay.

On the Sunday, there will be 12 singles matches. If a player from one team is unable to play through illness or any other reason, then his opposing captain will retire one of his players and that game will be considered halved.

TV COVERAGE

Sky Sports have exclusive rights to live coverage. On competition days it will broadcast 12 hours live from Kentucky, with BBC showing highlights at the close of play.

FRIDAY:Foursomes and fourballs:

Sky Sports 1: 12pm-12am.

Highlights: BBC1: 11.40pm-1.10am.

SATURDAY:Foursomes and fourballs:

Sky Sports1: 12pm-12am.

Highlights: BBC2: 11.30pm-1.00am.

SUNDAY: Singles:

Sky Sports 1: 4.30pm-12am.

Highlights: BBC2: 11.10pm-12.40am.