European Tour announces series of changes to Ryder Cup qualification

The European Tour has announced a series of changes to the Ryder Cup qualification process. Here is the breakdown.

Triple tweak

Firstly, Europe has increased the captain’s picks from three to four. Second, more points will now be earned in the latter stages of qualifying – 1.5 points instead of one, from the 2018 BMW PGA Championship onwards – to ensure in-form players stand a better chance of making the 12-man team. Third, no points will be available from tournaments staged anywhere in the world opposite the new Rolex Series (eight events with enhanced status and prize money). Points can be earned from this August’s Czech Masters.

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Approval rating

The changes were ratified in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday night by the European Tour Tournament Committee, which has been chaired by Thomas Bjorn for the past 10 years. However, the Dane has now stepped down to fully concentrate on his captain’s role for Europe at the 2018 Ryder Cup. Staged at Le Golf National in France, Europe will be seeking to win back the trophy they relinquished to the United States at Hazeltine in October, when they lost 17-11.

Protecting their interests

For the 2018 season, the European Tour’s membership criteria will decrease from five tournaments to four (outside the majors and WGCs). Only European Tour members can be selected for the Ryder Cup. Furthermore, from next year onward, players cannot be a future Ryder Cup captain or vice-captain if they decline membership of the European Tour or fail to fulfil the minimum obligation of contesting four events on tour each season.

Captain’s call

“I’m confident that we’re going to have the 12 best European players representing us in France,” Bjorn said. “From my own experience, when you make all your points in November and December the year before, it can be quite daunting to play in the Ryder Cup when you haven’t played particularly well for three or four months coming into it. I don’t think you can, at any time in sports, take away from guys that are in form.”

Players on board

“We’ve got a good balance,” said Henrik Stenson, the world No 4 and four-time Ryder Cup participant. “I think the ask of being a member is not that hard. It’s four tournaments you have to play, and I’m on the board, on the same lines: if you can’t make the effort to play four tournaments, then you’re not really that interested in being part of that team, either. That’s something I can stand for.”

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