The new format made its debut at Lytham

Royal Lytham saw the format of the Ryder Cup change for the first time, with the number of points at stake doubling to 24 and all matches played over 18 holes instead of 36.

The idea came from Britain's Lord Brabazon, and there was a feeling that the shorter matches might give the underdogs more chance to spring a surprise.

In the event, the changes did nothing but increase the Americans' margin of victory.

The home side's awful run in the foursomes continued and the US doubled their usual advantage by taking a 6-2 lead.

Debutant Arnold Palmer gave a sign of things to come by contributing three-and-a-half points and, despite a late rally by the hosts in the final afternoon's singles with three wins from the last four contests, the US domination showed no sign of ending.

Foursomes: Morning
C O'Connor & P Alliss beat D Ford & G Littler (4&3)
J Panton & B J Hunt lost to A Wall & J Herbert (4&3)
D J Rees & K Bousfield lost to W Casper & A Palmer (2&1)
T B Haliburton & N C Coles lost to W Collins & M Souchak (1 hole)

Foursomes: Afternoon
C O'Connor & P Alliss lost to A Wall & J Herbert (1 hole)
J Panton & B J Hunt lost to W Casper & A Palmer (5&4)
D J Rees & K Bousfield beat W Collins & M Souchak (2&1)
T B Haliburton & N C Coles lost to J Barber & D Finsterwald (1 hole)

Singles: Morning
H Weetman lost to D Ford (1 hole)
R L Moffitt lost to M Souchak (5&4)
P Alliss halved with A Palmer
K Bousfield lost to W Casper (5&3)
D J Rees beat J Herbert (2&1)
N C Coles halved with G Littler
B J Hunt beat J Barber (5&4)
C O'Connor lost to D Finsterwald (2&1)

Singles: Afternoon
H Weetman lost to A Wall (1 hole)
P Alliss beat W Collins (3&2)
B J Hunt lost to M Souchak (2&1)
T B Haliburton lost to A Palmer (2&1)
D J Rees beat D Ford (4&3)
K Bousfield beat J Barber (1 hole)
N C Coles beat D Finsterwald (1 hole)
C O'Connor halved with G Littler