How do conceded putts work at the Ryder Cup?
The 2025 edition of the Ryder Cup is rapidly approaching, and with it, come some different rules.
One of those rule adjustments is around conceded putts.
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Conceded putts were introduced in an effort to speed up the pace of play.
However, it is banned in stroke play tournaments and only allowed in match play events.
The Ryder Cup consists of three different sections - Four-ball, Foursomes and Singles - but the competition is match play, meaning concessions are allowed.
Here, talkSPORT.com looks into the process and how it works at the Ryder Cup.
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How do conceded putts work at the Ryder Cup?
With concessions, players don't have to complete every hole they play.
Instead, a player can concede a stroke to their opponent.
If someone does that, the opponent picks up the ball and takes the score he would have made on the next stroke and then progresses to the next hole.
Golf rules state that concessions have to be clearly communicated either verbally or through a physical gesture.
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If verbal, a phrase like, 'that's good', or 'pick it up' is used, then that is a concession.
Of course, there can be mistakes, and if that is the case, there is a get-out clause.
If a player mistakenly picks up their ball after thinking a concession has been called, then as long as it's deemed a reasonable mistake, the ball is replaced, and play continues.
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Ryder Cup concessions: Controversies
With something like concessions on the biggest stage, there are always going to be controversial moments, and the Ryder Cup has seen no shortage of them.
In 2023, Team USA's Rickie Fowler elected to concede to Tommy Fleetwood on the 16th hole to hand the Ryder Cup to Team Europe in Rome.
Europe needed just a half point to win the Ryder Cup on home soil, but rather than make Fleetwood putt for it, Fowler decided to concede.
This handed the Ryder Cup to Team Europe.
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Legendary golfer Jack Nicklaus was involved in his own controversial moment in 1969.
In a face-off against Tony Jacklin, Nicklaus conceded rather than making Jacklin take the putt.
That ensured Team USA retained their title, but the competition ended 16-16.
He received huge praise for his sportsmanship, but many other members of Team USA were furious.
Ryder Cup 2025 : Dates and how to follow
The 45th edition of the Ryder Cup will take place from Friday, September 26 to Sunday, September 28.
It is being held at Bethpage Black in Farmingdale, New York.
Official timings are yet to be confirmed but the morning sessions can be expected from 1pm UK time, the afternoon sessions from 6pm and the Sunday singles from 4pm.
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talkSPORT will have live coverage from New York throughout the week. More information will follow soon.
To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 through the website, click HERE for the live stream.
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You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.
The action will also be shown live on Sky Sports Golf throughout the week.