Madrid Bids For 2018 Ryder Cup

MADRID, Spain (AP) -- Madrid is bidding to host the 2018 Ryder Cup.

"Today we have applied for the 2018 Ryder Cup, a piece of news that is very important from the point of view of the economy and the repercussions it has," Cultural and Tourism minister Santiago Fisas said Wednesday.

A decision is expected in 2010.

Fisas said the Ryder Cup brought in $195 million for previous European host Ireland in 2006.

Spain previously hosted the Ryder Cup in 1997 at Valderrama.

Fisas didn't pinpoint which golf course would host the event, although he mentioned that a 36-hole course currently under construction in the Madrid suburb of Alcala de Henares could be a possibility.

The Ryder Cup is played every two years and alternates between the United States and Europe. The U.S. beat Europe to win the 37th edition in Kentucky last month.