Guide to the Presidents Cup

Incheon - A guide to the 11th Presidents Cup match between an International team and the United States at the Jack Nicklaus Golf Club, Incheon, South Korea, from October 8-11:

Timetable

-- Thursday, October 8. Five foursome matches from 11:05 am (0205 GMT).

-- Friday, October 9: Five fourball matches from 09:35 am (0035 GMT).

-- Saturday, October 10: Four foursome matches from 7:00 am (2200 GMT on Friday), followed by four fourball matches from    11:35 am (0235 GMT).

-- Sunday, October 11: Twelve singles matches from 10:35 am (0135 GMT)

Format: Match Play

-- All games are played under match play rules. The player or pair taking the fewest shots on each hole wins that hole. The   team which wins the most holes is awarded one point.

-- A match ends early if a team leads (are 'up') by more holes than there are left to play. If Team A is four up with three holes to play, Team is declared the winner by "4 and 3"

-- If scores are level after 18 holes then the match is "halved" and both sides are awarded half a point.

Fourballs

-- A pairs match in which each member plays their own ball, so four balls are in play at each hole. The player with the lowest score at each hole wins that hole for his team.

Foursome matches

-- A pairs match where the two team members take alternate shots using the same ball. One player is nominated to tee off on odd-numbered holes and the other on even-numbered holes.

Singles

-- A match in which single players from each side compete against each other.

Pairings/Order of Play

-- Each team captain alternates naming his choice of players with the defending champion's captain having the option to take first choice or defer to his opponents.

-- The opposing captain then selects his preferred match up until all the match line-ups are completed.

-- Each player must participate in two of the first four sessions, with all 12 players on each side competing in the Sunday singles.

Winning the Cup

-- With 30 points available (nine fourballs, nine foursomes, 12 singles), a team needs 15 1/2 points to win the Presidents Cup. A 15-15 tie will mean the trophy is shared.