PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. – Dec. 6, 2004 – Top 10-performances in Ryder Cup years, major championships and tournament victories will earn more points toward one of the 10 automatic qualifying spots for the 2006 U.S. Ryder Cup Team under the new point system announced by The PGA of America.
The PGA of America's 2006 Ryder Cup Team selection process started immediately following this year's PGA Championship. All points earned in 2004 will remain in place and the new system will go into effect with the season-opening Mercedes Championship, Jan. 6-9, 2005, and conclude at the 88th PGA Championship, Aug. 14-20, 2006 at Medinah (Ill.) Country Club.
"The PGA of America's goal is to ensure the strongest possible team for the next edition of the Ryder Cup Matches at the K Club in Ireland," said PGA of America President Roger Warren. "The new system rewards the game's hottest players as well as many players who have won events in the year of the Matches."
Under the new Ryder Cup points system, regular-season event victories in 2005 will continue to earn 75 points, while a major championship victory will earn 450 points, up from 225 in the previous system and points for the remaining top-10 finishes in the majors will be increased.
In Ryder Cup years, the points will increase to 375 for regular season event wins, up from 150 under the previous system and points for finishes in positions two through 10 will be doubled. A major championship victory will be worth 675 points, compared to 300 under the previous system and points for positions two through 10 will also be increased. Only the top-10 finishers in sanctioned events are eligible to earn points.
The leading 10 players in the Ryder Cup point standings following the 2006 PGA Championship will earn automatic Ryder Cup berths and the final two players to complete the 12-member team will be chosen by the U.S. Ryder Cup Captain Tom Lehman. The 2006 Ryder Cup Matches will be conducted Sept. 22-24, 2006, at The K Club in Straffan, County Kildare, Ireland.
The PGA of America's points system, first introduced in 1947, made its last significant revision in 1993, which provided added weight to the major championships. The U.S. point system was amended in 2001 after the events of Sept. 11, 2001, postponed the Ryder Cup Matches one year.
Team USA Ryder Cup Point System Breakdown
Rank 2004-05 Reg. Events 2005 Major Championships 2006 Reg. Events 2006 Major Championships
1ST 75 450 375 675
2ND 45 225 180 360
3RD 40 200 160 320
4TH 35 175 140 280
5TH 30 150 120 240
6TH 25 125 100 200
7TH 20 100 80 160
8TH 15 75 60 120
9TH 10 50 40 80
10TH 5 25 20 40
The PGA of America, founded in 1916, is a not-for-profit organization that promotes the game of golf while continuing to enhance the standards of the profession. The Association is comprised of more than 28,000 men and women PGA Professionals who are dedicated to growing participation in the game of golf.
Source: PGA
