The Ryder Cup is one of golf’s grandest and most engrossing events but according to Jack Nicklaus, it’s still not entirely perfect.
The tournament has seen some of the most dramatic moments in golf history over the years.
Team USA and Team Europe battle it out on a biennial basis and as we saw in 2025’s event, things can swing on momentum, crowds, or even just one player igniting things.
However, when it comes to the actual format of the competition, there are arguments for why it needs a change or two. The current, three-day format means we see more of some players, and less of others.
And according to Jack Nicklaus, that is one of the reasons he believes the Ryder Cup should change.
Why Jack Nicklaus said the Ryder Cup should follow The Presidents Cup
Nicklaus knows a fair thing or two about both Ryder Cups and Presidents Cups.
The ‘Golden Bear’ has captained the US Ryder Cup team twice, while he’s been in charge of the Presidents Cup team four times as well.
However, when it comes to the Ryder Cup, Nicklaus proposed a change in format over a decade ago that still hasn’t come to fruition.
“I’d love to see the Ryder Cup change its structure,” Nicklaus said to NBC Sports back in 2013.
“I like the Presidents Cup structure,” Nicklaus continued. “And the reason I like the Presidents Cup structure is you can’t hide a player. Everybody has to play every day. I mean, guys didn’t work for a whole year or two years to make a team and have to sit on the sideline because a captain says he doesn’t think he’s playing well.
Do you think golfers should receive a free drop from divots in the fairway?
“Guys came here to make a team. They worked their tails off and they want to play, so I think that’s good. … I suppose on paper this year, you look at the U.S. team, it’s pretty strong. I’ve gone to where the U.S. team has been pretty strong and we’ve gotten whipped, too, in the Ryder Cup and the other. I’ve been on both sides of the fence. I just happen to like this format better because of those reasons.
“The other one is, the way the pairs are, in the Ryder Cup, you just put it in an envelope. Here, you match pairings. I really like that. And it actually lets the captain do something strategic. And not hiding the guys – a few more matches over four days.
“Yeah, I like the Presidents Cup format.”
Jack Nicklaus’ Ryder Cup record
As expected, Jack Nicklaus has a pretty impressive record when it comes to the Ryder Cup.
As a player, he was part of six American teams, winning out in five of those appearances, with his debut appearance in 1969 resulting in a tie.
As captain, he won the cup in 1983 but failed to do so in 1987, while his Presidents Cup record is also impressive, with two ties and two wins from his four attempts.
In terms of his own individual playing record, Nicklaus is a standout with a 17-8-3 record overall, bettered only by Billy Casper on the American side of things.
As for the changes proposed, well, they seem a long way off. However, Nicklaus does make a good point and it would be interesting to see everyone forced into more matches.
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