It won’t be wrong to say that the biennial Ryder Cup is one of the most anticipated events in golf history. The 2025 Ryder Cup is underway at Bethpage Black, and 12 of the best golfers from the US and Europe are competing for pride, honor, and the trophy. In the past 44 Ryder Cup events, Team USA won 14 times, while Team Europe clinched the title 15 times. The other two times, the competition ended in a tie in 1969 and 1989. Each time a team wins, it receives the trophy. But do they get to keep the original trophy? Do they get to keep it until it is on the line again at the next Ryder Cup? Or do they even get the original trophy? Let’s find out.

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Do Ryder Cup winners keep the original trophy? Ownership rules explained

No, the Ryder Cup winners don’t get to keep the original trophy. Samuel Ryder, the seed merchant who commissioned and presented the original trophy for the inaugural 1927 Ryder Cup, gave it to the PGA of Great Britain and Ireland. It is housed at their headquarters at Centenary House, The Belfry.

The winning team never received it except once, in 1927. During the inaugural match, no provisions were made to house the trophy. Thus, the American team that defeated Great Britain 9 1/2 – 2 1/2 got the original trophy. The team, which included eight players back then, shared it equally among themselves. They drew lots, and Leo Diegel was the first to receive it.

It was the only time when players had their hands on the original trophy. After that, provisions were made, and the PGA of Great Britain and Ireland got the ownership.

Now, the winning team receives a replica of the original trophy. It is reported that there are around five replicas of the trophy. The PGA of America has a replica. They use it at the presentation ceremony every two years. Another replica is used for promotional purposes. What the winning team gets is a scaled-down version of the original trophy.

How much does the Ryder Cup trophy cost? Value and materials

The illustrious trophy we see is pure gold and sterling silver. However, no information is available about the carats of gold used for the design. Some reports say it is 9-carat, while others say it is 18-carat.

Back in 1927, the cost of commissioning the trophy was £250 ($310). Its current value is estimated to be approximately £13,000 ($17,000). Reports say Samuel Ryder, Golf Illustrated magazine, and the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews split the cost among themselves. Ryder and the Golf Illustrated magazine paid £100 each, and the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews paid the remaining £50.

Who designed the Ryder Cup trophy? History and designer details

Samuel Ryder chose Mappin & Webb Co., a British silversmith company in Sheffield, to design the original trophy. The chalice stands 17 inches tall, 9 inches wide, and weighs only 4 pounds. It stands atop a wooden base. Although it’s small in stature, it holds the legacy of a close to 100-year-old event. Every time a team wins the cup, the scores are engraved around the gold bands.

While the original trophy is 17 inches tall, the winning team gets a scaled-down replica that is 12 inches in height.

There’s a figure on the top of the trophy, and it would be easy to assume it to be of Ryder. However, that’s not the case. Although the Ryder Cup gets its name from Samuel Ryder, the figure is of Abe Mitchell. He was a friend and golf coach to Samuel, and a fine player himself. According to the Ryder Cup’s official website, he was titled “the finest golfer never to win the Open Championship” by Henry Longhurst.

Abe Mitchell didn’t play in the inaugural event, but participated in 1929, 1931, and 1933, with an overall score of 4-2-0. Building on his legacy, there are even more fascinating stories and little-known details that highlight the rich history behind the Ryder Cup.

Other Fun Facts about the Ryder Cup 

There are several other interesting facts about the Ryder Cup trophy and its existence that many people don’t know about. For instance, Samuel Ryder, who commissioned the trophy, started playing golf only to get fresh air. After his health had deteriorated, a friend advised him to play golf.

Additionally, there was a match played between the Great Britain and the United States players in 1926. However, the trophy was never presented due to disputes among the teams. It was referred to as the ‘lost’ Ryder Cup and was stripped from the official records.

Another fun fact about the event is that the Ryder Cup was not played for 10 years, from 1937 to 1947, after World War II and Samuel’s death. Robert Hudson, an Oregon-based food processor, founded the event in 1947. It was hosted in Portland, his hometown. Robert also covered the entire cost of the British team’s travel.

There’s no prize money presented to players. The Ryder Cup trophy is the only thing the winning team gets. Still, it is one of the most anticipated tournaments that stirs emotions in golfers. The trophy represents decades of rivalry and sportsmanship. The 2025 Ryder Cup is underway, and it would be thrilling to see whether the American team gets revenge for 2023 or the European team retains the trophy with an amazing victory on foreign soil.