Europe Revamps Ryder Cup Qualification Criteria for 2025 Matches

Europe has made significant changes to its Ryder Cup qualifying criteria for the 2025 matches at Bethpage Black. The new system introduces a single points list, allowing the leading six players to earn points at both PGA Tour and European Tour events.

Previously, three players qualified through world ranking points earned a year out from the matches, and three through Race to Dubai points from European Tour events. Europeans could only accumulate world ranking points at PGA Tour events under the old system.

Players who have joined the Saudi-funded LIV Golf, such as Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton, can now earn points primarily at major championships. They will also be eligible for the six captain’s picks, provided they remain European Tour members by paying fines to play in LIV events.

European captain Luke Donald, who led the team to victory at Marco Simone in Italy last year, emphasized the effort put into these changes. “A lot of work has gone on behind the scenes to get to this point and everything is now focused on doing all we can to retain the trophy in New York next September,” he said.

The new system allocates 5,000 points at the majors; 3,000 points at The Players Championship, the PGA Tour’s signature events, and the FedEx Cup playoff events; and 2,000 points at European Tour’s Rolex Series events and regular PGA Tour events. Additionally, Europe’s “Back 9” series of events will award 1,500 points, and smaller European Tour and opposite-field PGA Tour events will offer 1,000 points.

Qualifying begins on August 29 with the British Masters, starting the “Back 9” swing. Until early 2025, the European Tour will be the sole venue for earning points. The points list will conclude on August 24, at a tournament yet to be announced. The full 2025 European Tour schedule is expected next month.

One unchanged rule is the exclusion of points from any tournament held opposite a Rolex Series event, except for the PGA Tour’s event opposite the Scottish Open, which accommodates European Tour players. The Zurich Classic team event on the PGA Tour, won last year by Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry, will count 50% for each team member, provided both are European.

“This is a major milestone moment in our journey to the 2025 Ryder Cup,” said Guy Kinnings, CEO of the European Tour. “This is without question a much cleaner and simpler qualification system than the ones utilized in previous years.”

For the U.S. team, Keegan Bradley will serve as captain for the 2025 matches. The American side also has six automatic qualifiers, determined by a formula based on money earned at PGA Tour events.