The Ryder Cup is a famous international team competition associated with which sport?

Introduction / Context:
The Ryder Cup is one of the most famous international team competitions in the world of sport. It is frequently asked about in general knowledge exams because of its historic rivalry and distinctive format. Identifying which sport it belongs to is a key part of sports GK, especially when many trophies have similar sounding names or are associated with traditional venues in Europe and the United States.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The event is explicitly named the Ryder Cup.
• Options list golf, tennis, hockey, cricket, and rugby union.
• We assume the standard format of the Ryder Cup, played between teams from Europe and the United States.
• The question asks for the sport, not the location or year.

Concept / Approach:
The Ryder Cup is an international men's golf competition contested between teams from Europe and the United States. It is played every two years, with the venue alternating between courses in Europe and the United States. The competition uses match play format and has become a symbol of intense but friendly rivalry. Thus, the correct approach is to recall that this event is firmly rooted in golf and not to confuse it with tournaments in tennis, hockey, cricket, or rugby.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recognise the event name “Ryder Cup.”Step 2: Recall that it is played between European and American teams of golfers.Step 3: Remember that it takes place on golf courses and uses match play scoring.Step 4: Compare this with the options: golf, tennis, hockey, cricket, and rugby union.Step 5: Select golf as the correct sport associated with the Ryder Cup.

Verification / Alternative check:
As a verification method, think about media coverage: Ryder Cup highlights always show golfers playing on scenic courses, with galleries following groups of players and the team captains discussing pairings. The format, including foursomes and fourball matches, is described in golf specific terminology. None of these features would match tennis, hockey, cricket, or rugby events, which have very different playing fields and rules.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Tennis has the Davis Cup and other team competitions but not the Ryder Cup. Hockey and cricket have their own World Cups and series trophies that are unrelated to this name. Rugby union features competitions like the Rugby World Cup or Six Nations, not the Ryder Cup. As a result, all these options are incorrect in relation to the event named in the question.

Common Pitfalls:
A frequent pitfall is to confuse the Ryder Cup with the Davis Cup, which is a tennis competition between national teams. Another is mixing it up with other “cup” events such as football or rugby trophies. To avoid this confusion, candidates should remember that most golf team events with English surnames or titles, like the Ryder Cup and Walker Cup, belong to golf, while the Davis Cup belongs to tennis.

Final Answer:
The Ryder Cup is associated with the sport of golf.