37th Ryder Cup

When and where: Friday-Sunday in Louisville, Ky.

Course: Valhalla Golf Club, designed by Jack Nicklaus, who recently refurbished the private club that is owned by the PGA of America. Valhalla hosted the PGA Championship in 1996 and 2000, both times ending in a playoff victory, Mark Brooks (over Kenny Perry in 1996) and Tiger Woods (over Bob May in 2000).

Format: Four matches of fourballs (better ball) and foursomes (alternate shot) on Friday and Saturday, followed by 12 singles matches on Sunday.

Points: Europe needs 14 points to retain the Cup; the United States needs 14 1/2 points to win the Cup.

Series: United States leads 24-10-2.

Last time: Led by the inspirational play of Darren Clarke, competing for the first time since his wife died of cancer, Europe won all five sessions and matched its record for margin of victory, 18 1/2-9 1/2, to win at The K Club in Ireland for its third straight outright victory. Clarke went 3-0, while the other captain's pick, Lee Westwood, was 3-0-2.

Captains: Nick Faldo (Europe), Paul Azinger (US)

Key statistic: The United States has not had the lead after any session since winning at Brookline in 1999.

Noteworthy: For the first time since the Ryder Cup began in 1927, the United States does not have a current major champion on its team.

Quoteworthy: "If you're going to represent the United States, you'd better be ready to win. And if you don't win, you'd better be ready to take the heat." -- Stewart Cink.

TV: Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m, ESPN; Saturday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., NBC Sports; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., NBC Sports.