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Europe to keep Ryder points system

Europe's Ryder Cup Committee has decided there is no need to change the selection system under which the Americans have twice…

Fri Feb 02 2007 - 00:00

Europe's Ryder Cup Committee has decided there is no need to change the selection system under which the Americans have twice been sent to record defeats.

While new United States captain Paul Azinger has instigated the introduction of four wild cards and a new points structure, Europe's line-up for Valhalla next year will again comprise five players based on world ranking points, five from the European Order of Merit and two wild cards.

Qualifying starts this September and the final event will be the 2008 Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles, host venue for the 2014 Ryder Cup.

Between 1997 and 2006 the BMW International Open in Munich hosted the final qualifying tournament, but the move of that event to a June date has necessitated the change.

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European captain Nick Faldo, who played in the Ryder Cup 11 times and is Europe's individual record holder with 25 points, commented: "I am delighted to endorse the decision to continue with a selection process which has proved successful on both sides of the Atlantic.

"There is a well-used expression 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' and I feel that it applies in this instance.

"By using the World Ranking and the Order of Merit as the principal means to determine the 10 qualifiers I am confident that Europe will have the nucleus of a highly competitive side, so allowing me sufficient freedom to make my two captain's picks."

Europe won 18 ½ to 9 1/2 in Detroit three years ago and repeated that at the K Club last September for an unprecedented third successive victory.

Richard Hills, Europe's Ryder Cup director, said: "Ryder Cup Europe are delighted to announce a qualifying system which reflects the continued influence of the Official World Golf Ranking and The European Tour Order of Merit.

"We believe that the system currently in place is competitive and representative of the talent at Europe's disposal."

There remains the danger of a European player producing his best golf on the US Tour and yet still missing out because he does not take part in sufficient Order of Merit events.

Swede Carl Pettersson would have qualified last year if he had been a member of the European Tour throughout the 12-month qualifying period. A first and second place in America did not count and Ian Woosnam did not give him a wild card.