Europe consider relaxing Ryder Cup selection rules

THE European Tour have responded to pressure from Rory McIlroy and Lee Westwood by confirming they will consider a controversial overhaul of their Ryder Cup selection rules.

McIlroy and Westwood have argued in the past week that membership of the European Tour should not be a necessity for qualification to the biennial event. It is a condition that has rarely been challenged but has surfaced in the wake of Europe’s heavy defeat by the US last month.

McIlroy questioned the wisdom of a system that meant world No12 Paul Casey was not playing at Hazeltine on account of being solely committed to the PGA Tour in the US.

Dropping the criteria would seem a risky move by the European Tour, considering the prospect of playing in the Ryder Cup is what draws many of the US-based Europeans back across the Atlantic.

But Tour CEO Keith Pelley has not ruled out the possibility. ‘We’re always talking to our top players and listening to what they have to say,’ he said.

‘We’re always adjusting and looking at our rules and regulations and evaluating whether we have the best formula to make up the Ryder Cup team.

‘We also want to have the best possible team, which is why we are having discussions regarding the qualification system now.We will adjust the qualification if we feel we need to. The Ryder Cup is a critical component of our tour. But it shouldn’t be the only reason someone wants to be on our tour.’

Denmark’s Thorbjorn Olesen takes a commanding seven-shot lead into the final round of the Turkish Airlines Open but Masters champion Danny Willett, who needs to finish fifth or better to reclaim top spot in the Race to Dubai from Henrik Stenson, is joint 48th.