European Tour announces Ryder Cup qualification changes
Europe’s 2018 Ryder Cup captain Thomas Bjorn will now have four picks at his disposal following an overhaul to the selection process.
The changes have been made in the wake of Team Europe’s humbling defeat at the hands of Davis Love III’s Team USA at Hazeltine last September.
Captain Bjorn will now be given an extra pick meaning four wildcard spots are up for grabs at Le Golf National next year.
Another significant change is the weighting of points now on offer in the latter stage of the 2018 season meaning more in-form players will have the opportunity to tee it up in France.
Race to Dubai and World Ranking points earned in these tournaments will be multiplied by 1.5 for the two respective qualification lists with the first counting event to benefit from this increased weighting in the 2018 season being the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.
Europe alter Ryder Cup qualification
With the 2018 schedule not as yet finalised, the last counting event in the quest to make Bjørn’s team hasn’t been announced.
Also, following the introduction of the Rolex Series, no Ryder Cup qualification points will be available from tournaments staged anywhere in the world played in the same week as these events in both 2017 and 2018.
Bjørn said: “I am delighted that the Tournament Committee passed these regulations which I believe will considerably benefit the European Ryder Cup team in 2018 without compromising the strength or importance of the European Tour.
“In my role as chairman of the Tournament Committee for the past 10 years and now as Ryder Cup captain, I fully appreciate the need to balance both of these essential elements, and I think we have managed to do that.
“Part of the reason for my appointment last month was to, as soon as possible, begin the process required to regain the Ryder Cup at Le Golf National in 2018, and these changes are the first step on that journey. Hopefully they will help me have the 12 best European players available in 20 months’ time.”
Tom Irwin
Tom is a lifetime golfer, now over 30 years playing the game. 2023 marks 10 years in golf publishing and he is still holding down a + handicap at Alwoodley in Leeds. He has played over 600 golf courses, and has been a member of at least four including his first love Louth, in Lincolnshire. Tom likes unbranded clothing, natural fibres, and pencil bags. Seacroft in Lincolnshire is where it starts and ends.
