The Trophy was named after five times major winner Seve Ballesteros, the most successful golfer ever from Continental Europe who was one of the key instigators of the tournament.

The Seve Trophy was an "approved special event" on the European Tour.

A week in the tour schedule was set aside for it, but the prize money did not count towards the Race to Dubai (previously the Order of Merit).

The format was therefore similar to that of the Ryder Cup except that there were less singles matches, since each team consisted of ten players, whereas in the Ryder Cup there are twelve players on each team.

The golfers on the same team take alternate shots throughout the match, with the same ball.

Eligibility for the Seve Trophy was similar that of the Europe team in the Ryder Cup.

Paul Casey and Colin Montgomerie made the most appearances on the Great Britain and Ireland side, playing in five events each.

[5] Miguel Ángel Jiménez was the only golfer to play in all eight Seve Trophy events on the Continental side.