The contest was a three-day competition, with three foursomes and three fourball matches on each of the first two days, and eight singles matches on the final day, a total of 20 points.
Each of the 20 matches is worth one point in the larger team competition. If a match is all square after the 18th hole extra holes are not played. Rather, each side earns 1⁄2 a point toward their team total. The team that accumulates at least 101⁄2 points wins the competition. In the event of a tie, the current holder retains the Cup.
Five of the American team were selected in December 2011 (Anderson, Duncan, Ernst, Lua and Pancake).[3] The remaining three members of the team (McCloskey, Popson and Tubert) were announced in January 2012.[4][5]