After losing to the United States at Hazeltine last year, Europe's Ryder Cup qualification process has be revamped in a bid to regain the trophy.
Captain Thomas Bjorn will have four captain's picks instead of the three that were used by former captains Darren Clarke, Paul McGinley and Colin Montgomerie. Bjorn's four picks will also match what American captains have used in five of the six Ryder Cups.
Bjorn is hoping to pick in-form players with qualification points gained from the 2018 BMW PGA Championship onwards, gaining a 50% boost. The qualification process will begin in August at the Czech Masters.
Changes made to European Tour membership criteria and Ryder Cup qualification process for 2018.
Full story: https://t.co/Z9p0WaLUMJ pic.twitter.com/bfTchTbyAQ
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) January 18, 2017
"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", Bjorn admitted after the news was revealed in Abi Dhabi on Wednesday morning.
The Rolex Series will be given extra prominence in the qualification process, with points from other events taking place in the same week as those seven tournaments not counting towards the team for Le Golf National in Paris.
Bjorn will lead the European side, against an American team led by former US Open champion Jim Furyk. The 2018 Ryder Cup takes place outside Paris in the final weekend of September.
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