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Ryder Cup 2016: An idiots' guide to the world's greatest golf rivalry

Become incredibly well-informed about the Ryder Cup as Yahoo Sport team up with online retailer Golfbidder.co.uk to share their top tips...

Ryder Cup 2016: An idiots' guide to the world's greatest golf rivalry

Every two years, golf takes centre stage in the sporting calendar, and Europe and America develop Ryder Cup fever, as the two rival teams go head to head to establish sporting superiority once more.

Like rugby’s Six Nations and horse racing’s Grand National, the Ryder Cup is also the time when complete novices of the sport come together to watch the action, either in a joint state of confusion or in a panic-induced sweat as their knowledgeable pals discuss the ins and outs of the tournament quicker than you can say ‘birdie’.

Fortunately for you, Yahoo Sport has teamed up with the experts at online retailer Golfbidder.co.uk, who have shared their top tips for blagging your way through this year’s Ryder Cup …

1) Know your terminology

No, we don’t mean brush up on the definition of ‘eagle’, ‘par’ or ‘hole in one’ – frankly if you’re stuck on those, you’re a lost cause. Of greater significance – knowing the ‘in vogue’ phrases often adopted by the hordes of (usually American) imbecilic spectators after a player hits a shot. Why not join in with the fun, and prove that you follow golf! Popular phrases to shout include; ‘Mashed Potato’, ‘Hold the Door’ (Game of Thrones ref.), and most recently ‘Harambe’ (lamenting the passing of Cincinatti’s most famous primate).

2) Impress everyone with some top trivia

“Did you know, the largest winning margin by a Ryder Cup is 15 points?” It’s these kind of pub quiz gems that will earn the respect of your peers and make you appear to be a seasoned golf fan. Be sure to have a few of these nuggets up your sleeve and drop them casually into any Ryder Cup conversation. Here are a few suggestions:

- The oldest golfer to play in the Ryder Cup was USA’s Raymond Floyd in 1993, at 51 years.

- The youngest Ryder Cup captain was Team USA skipper Arnold Palmer, 34, in 1963.

- Since the competition was extended to European players, Team Europe has won the trophy 11 times, compared to Team USA’s seven.

Who knew!!

3) Make a joke about Rory McIlroy’s timekeeping

In the 2012 Ryder Cup, Britain’s number one golfer Rory McIlroy arrived late for his match against Team USA’s Keegan Bradley. McIlroy famously checked his tee off time using an app set to Eastern Time – which is one hour later than the Central time zone the tournament was held in. With his European teammates sweating over the threat of a points deduction or even disqualification, McIlroy arrived 10 minutes before tee-off thanks to a police escort. He won the match, and Europe the tournament, and was presented with a giant clock by his captain in recognition of his near blunder.

4) Know the course like the back of your hand

You might not know much about golf, but people won’t know that when you express your disbelief that the Hazeltine course has three par 5s over 600 yards (that’s long), and is perfect for the big boys like Rory McIlroy and Dustin Johnson (DJ to you).

Ensure even more credibility by showing off your knowledge that the course has been reshuffled specifically for the Ryder Cup, with the holes being played in the following order: 1-4, 14-18, 10-13, 5-9 (that’s confusing). Seal the deal by explaining how Hazeltine becomes only the 2nd course to host the Ryder Cup, US Open, USPGA championship US Women’s Open, and the US Amateur. With knowledge like that, people will question why you’re not at Hazeltine playing.

5)Compare EVERYTHING to the ‘Miracle of Medinah’

Perhaps golf’s most famous comeback, this is in the same league as Liverpool’s ‘Miracle in Instanbul’ and Manchester United’s last-gasp defeat of Bayern Munich in the 1999 Champions League Final. At the start of the final day of play in the 2012 Ryder Cup, Team Europe trailed Team USA 10-6, needing 8 ½ points to win the trophy outright, whilst USA required just 4 ½ .

Team Europe pulled off an incredible turnaround and, after Tiger Woods missed a putt on the final green, the Ryder Cup was handed to Team Europe for the fifth time in six contests. Milk this piece of history for all it is worth and you’ll have your mates believing you’re an old sage of the sport worth listening to.