In what year was the first Ryder Cup played?

The first official Ryder Cup was played in 1927.

The inaugural matches took place on June 3 and 4 at Worcester Country Club in Worcester, Massachusetts. The teams were the United States and Great Britain, and the Americans won decisively, 9–2. Walter Hagen captained the United States, while Ted Ray led Great Britain.

The competition was named for English businessman Samuel Ryder, who donated the trophy. Ryder could not attend the first event because of ill health. The original format consisted of foursomes, in which partners play alternate shots, followed by singles matches.

The event had earlier exhibition-style contests involving American and British professionals, including a 1926 match, which sometimes causes confusion. The 1927 competition is recognized as the first official Ryder Cup. The contest later expanded from Great Britain to Great Britain and Ireland, and then to Europe in 1979.