[PHOTO: Maddie Meyer/PGA of America]
The European Ryder Cup team has announced a major revision to its automatic qualification system for the 2025 match at Bethpage Black.
The team, which is run by the DP World Tour, had previously used a two-list format for automatic qualifiers, picking from a European Points standing (a nod to performances on the DP World Tour) and World Points standing (bringing in play at the majors and PGA Tour events). The Europeans have abandoned that format, instead opting for just one standing that will award six automatic spots, one which will favour global and American play over the Old World circuit.
Points will be awarded for the following events:
• Major championships (5,000 points)
• 2025 PGA Tour signature and playoff events + Players Championship (3,000)
• DP World Tour Rolex series (2,000)
• PGA Tour regular events (2,000)
• DP World Tour “Back 9” events (1,500)
• DP World Tour global events (1,000)
• PGA Tour opposite-field events (1,000)
The changes come in the wake of the new PGA Tour–DP World Tour alliance, which enables the top 10 players on the DP World Tour season standings to receive a PGA Tour card the next year. The PGA Tour also provides operational support while receiving an increased stake in DP World Tour productions.
Notably, LIV Golf events did not receive point accreditation. LIV players were left off the 2023 winning squad, although Jon Rahm’s defection to the Saudi-backed circuit last December left several European members – including Rory McIlroy – asserting the rules should be changed.
However, LIV Golf members are technically eligible, as long as they didn’t surrender their DP World Tour membership. A LIV member who performs well at the majors and DP World Tour events could make it on points, or be a candidate for a captain’s pick. While Rahm is the most notable European name on LIV, there are several other potential picks, including Tyrrell Hatton and Adrian Meronk.
“This is a major milestone moment in our journey to the 2025 Ryder Cup,” said new DP World Tour chief executive Guy Kinnings. “This is without question a much cleaner and simpler qualification system than the ones utilised in previous years and we thank Luke and his vice-captains Edoardo Molinari and Thomas Bjørn for their vital input over the past few months.”
The qualification process for the 2025 European Ryder Cup team will begin at the Betfred British Masters later this month, and finishes at the end of August next year. The 2025 Ryder Cup visits Bethpage Black on September 26, 2025. The Europeans are defending champions, but have won just once in their past four away appearances.
