The "Ryder Cup" is a golf championship that pits the United States against Europe. It has been played every two years since 1927, except for the matches that would have taken place between 1939 and 1945 but for World War II; the 34th Ryder Cup was delayed one year because of the catastrophic events that took place on September 11, 2001, and will henceforth take place during even numbered years. The format of the competition is match play, where a game is decided hole by hole instead of cumulatively over 18 holes: When a team is winning a match by more holes than there are holes remaining in that match, the match is closed out, and a point is awarded. There are a total of 28 matches between the two 12 man teams, including eight foursomes, eight fourballs, and 12 singles: In foursomes a two man team alternates play of one ball in a match against another two man team, whereas in fourballs each member of the two man teams play his own ball; in singles, a single player is matched against another player.