1961 Royal Lytham & St. Annes, St. Annes, England

Captains: Jerry Barber (US), Dai Rees (GB)
USA 14 ½ - GB 9 ½

This edition of the Ryder Cup Matches was the first to be played in two sets of 18-hole foursomes and singles, which doubled the number of points available from 12 to 24. The move was proposed by Lord Brabazon, then president of the Professional Golfers Association of Great Britain in March 1960. The PGA of America agreed to the format change, and in September 1960 a tournament players' sub-committee further recommended the Matches be extended to three days, with the extra day to include fourball matches. Fourball competition was introduced in 1963. Meanwhile, the U.S. Team turned in another consistent and strong performance to retain the Ryder Cup. It was the debut of Arnold Palmer, who would go on to post 23 career points won in 32 matches. Palmer's presence and the strength of such teammates as Mike Souchak, who each contributed 3 ½ points, made up for the absence of veteran Sam Snead, who was suspended from competition for 45 days by The PGA for competing in a non-sanctioned Tour event, the Portland Open. Snead sought approval too late, bowed out of the second round of the pro-am, and appealed at The PGA Annual Meeting after the Ryder Cup Matches had been played. Snead's probation was reduced to 45 days, but he would not compete again in the Ryder Cup Matches and was named non-playing Captain in 1969. Doug Ford replaced Snead on the U.S. Team.

Great Britain		United States
Foursomes: Morning
C O'Connor & P Alliss (4 & 3)	1	D Ford & G Littler	0
J Panton & B J Hunt	0	A Wall & J Herbert (4 & 3)	1
D J Rees & K Bousfield	0	W Casper & A Palmer (2 & 1)	1
T B Haliburton & N C Coles	0	W Collins & M Souchak (1 hole)	1
Foursomes: Afternoon
C O'Connor & P Alliss	0	A Wall & J Herbert (1 hole)	1
J Panton & B J Hunt	0	W Casper & A Palmer (5 & 4)	1
D J Rees & K Bousfield (2 & 1)	1	W Collins & M Souchak	0
T B Haliburton & N C Coles	0	J Barber & D Finsterwald (1 hole)	1
Singles: Morning
H Weetman	0	D Ford (1 hole)	1
US R L Moffitt	0	M Souchak (5 & 4)	2
P Alliss (halved)	½	A Palmer (halved)	½
K Bousfield	0	W Casper (5 & 3)	2
D J Rees (2 & 1)	1	J Herbert	0
N C Coles (halved)	½	G Littler (halved)	½
B J Hunt (5 & 4)	1	J Barber	0
C O'Connor	0	D Finsterwald (2 & 1)	1
Singles: Afternoon
H Weetman	0	A Wall (1 hole)	1
P Alliss (3 & 2)	1	W Collins	0
B J Hunt	0	M Souchak (2 & 1)	1
T B Haliburton	0	A Palmer (2 & 1)	1
D J Rees (4 & 3)	1	D Ford	0
K Bousfield (1 hole)	1	J Barber	0
N C Coles (1 hole)	1	D Finsterwald	0
C O'Connor (halved)	½	G Littler (halved)	½