Ryder Cup Qualifying

Team USA Selection Process

Luke Donald of Europe celebrates holing a birdie putt on the 16th green with team mate Sergio Garcia (L) during the afternoon foursomes on the second day of the 2006 Ryder Cup at The K Club on September 23, 2006 in Straffan, Co. Kildare, Ireland

The PGA of America altered the Ryder Cup qualifying process for Team USA in 2006. Instead of two picks, the Team USA captain - for 2008, Paul Azinger - will select four of the 12 US golfers on the team. The remaining eight positions will be filled by the US golfers with the highest number of points at the end of the qualifying period, on 11 August 2008.

Points are awarded as follows:

  • one point for each US $1,000 earned in the four major championships for 2007 - the Masters, US Open, British Open and PGA Championship
  • two points for each US $1,000 earned in the four major championships for 2008
  • one point for each US $1,000 earned in any official PGA event other than the major championships and the World Golf Championship events, from the first day of 2008 up to 11 August 2008
  • a half point for each US $1,000 earned in any event played opposite the 2008 major championships and World Golf Championship events, from the first day of 2008 up to 11 August 2008

US golfers who finished in the top 10 in all official PGA events from 27 August to 5 November 2006 will be awarded an additional one-quarter point for every $1,000 earned, because this period preceded the new Ryder Cup team selection process.

For the current Ryder Cup standings of US players, visit our Team USA page.

Team Europe Selection Process

The Ryder Cup qualifying process for Team Europe is the same as in 2006. The qualifying period started on 6 September 2007 and will run up to August 2008.

The captain - for 2008, Nick Faldo - will pick two players. The five European golfers with the highest total world ranking points and the five players who top the European points list will make up the rest of the 12-man team. Where golfers occupy top-five positions in both ranking systems, the next-highest ranking players will be selected.

Standings in the European points list are based on euros earned by European Tour members during the qualifying period, with one point awarded per euro.

For the current Ryder Cup standings of European players, visit our Team Europe page.

The Ryder Cup qualifying process is still ongoing, but you can start picking your favourite golfers and back your team for the 2008 Ryder Cup.