Changes to Ryder plans

THE European team is reducing the number of captain’s picks from four to three for next year’s Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits.

Nine players will qualify automatically for the team via points earned in tournaments, starting with the BMW PGA Championship in September and ending at the same event 12 months later.

Padraig Harrington, Europe’s captain, had requested the change, saying that “in my experience, a player is more comfortable when he has qualified” as opposed to being a wildcard selection.

The next Ryder Cup will take place on the Straits Course at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin from September 25-27, 2020.