The city of Madrid on Thursday declared itself a candidate to host the Ryder Cup tournament between the United States and Europe in 2018.

It would be the only second time that the tournament has been staged in mainland Europe after Valderrama, Spain, hosted the 1997 event.

Aside from Spain, five other countries are hoping to host the tournament in 2018: France, Germany, Portugal, the Netherlands and Sweden.

The deadline for the submission of bids has been set for April 2010, with the hosts to be named in early 2011.

The 2018 Ryder Cup will be the 42nd edition of the biennial tournament between Europe and the United States.

The next edition of the event will be played in Newport, Wales in October next year, with the 2012 event to take place in Medinah, Illinois, the 2014 competition in Gleneagles, Scotland and the 2016 tournament in Chaska, Minnesota.

The US are the current holders of the prestigious trophy, after Paul Azinger's team defeated Europe 16.5-11.5 at the 2008 tournament at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky.

© 2010 AFP/sid