The Ryder Cup is considered one of the greatest events not just in golf but in all sport across the world. Every 2 years, 12 of the best golfers from Europe face off against 12 of the top golfers from the USA. Right from the first Ryder Cup in 1927 the competition has been fierce and head-to-head. The next edition of this prestigious event will be held at MArco Simone Golf and Country Club, Sept 29-Oct 1.
Jim Furyk and US Team Captain Davis Love III after winning the 2016 Ryder Cup at the Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minnesota
Player Selection
The most exciting thing to keep track of is the list of American and European players likely to make it to their respective Ryder Cup teams. This is how team selection happens in the Ryder Cup for the Americans:
· The top 8 players in the points rankings are automatically selected as team members.
· The next 4 spots are captain’s picks.
· 3 spots will be announced after the Dell Technologies Championship on 3rd September, 2018.
· The 4th spot will be announced after the end of the BMW Championship on 9th September, 2018.
· Points are awarded for performance in PGA tournaments starting with the World Golf Championships – Mexico Championship – in 2017. The other events that contribute towards ranking points include:
o All 2017 World Golf Championship events: The players get 1 point for every $2000 earned.
o The Players Championship: The players get 1 point for every $2000 earned.
o 2017 Major Championships: The players get 1 point for every $1000 earned in the Masters, the US Open, the Open Championship and the PGA Championship
o Regular PGA Tour events in 2018 from 1st January to 12th August: Players get 1 point for every $1000 earned. Points are not awarded to players in Opposite Field PGA Tour events.
o 2018 Major Championships: The winner is awarded 2 points for every $1000 won, while those who make the cut are awarded 1.5 points per $1000 earned.
The selection to the European team is almost the same, except for a few major changes announced for the qualifying process.
· Greater weightage for points earned in tournaments in the second half of the selection process to enable players who are in form then to make it to the list.
· No points awarded for participation/wins in tournaments conducted during the same week as the Rolex Series in 2017 and 2018.
· Eligibility option for Captain/Vice-Captain roles only for players who have:
o Not declined membership to the European Tour
o Fulfilled all their minimum event obligations in a season
· From 2018, players need to compete in only 4 tournaments sanctioned by the European Tour, apart from the Major Championships and the World Golf Championships.