ZealousGolfer.com

After the Americans were walloped by the Euros again in 2006 (nearly the worst loss ever if not for some European generosity), the PGA of America has revised its Ryder Cup points system. The new points system, in effect during the 2007-2008 season for the '08 Ryder Cup, will feature several key changes. The biggest change aside from the points system is the new policy of the captain getting four wild card picks. 2008 Captain Paul Azinger will be the first to select four players who were not in the top 8 of the Ryder Cup standings. The PGA's press release provided the following changes in the points system:
* Prize money earned in the 2007 major championships (Masters, U.S. Open, British Open and PGA Championship -- one point for every $1,000 earned).
* Prize money earned in "official events" in 2008 from Jan. 1 through Aug. 11 (one point for every $1,000 earned, excluding the major championships and events played opposite major championships and opposite World Golf Championships).
* Prize money earned in the 2008 major championships (Masters, U.S. Open, British Open, PGA Championship (two points for every $1,000 earned)
* Prize money earned in 2008 events played opposite the major championships and opposite World Golf Championship events between Jan. 1 and Aug. 11 (one-half point for every $1,000 earned).

These changes look to make sure the best players are in, and possibly eliminate some of the winners and high finishers in the TOUR's bottom feeder events, allowing some of the bigger names to either qualify or be selected by Azinger. The new reform of the points system and captain's picks will likely bring little change to the U.S. team in 2008 unless some of the young guns begin to step it up and the veterans begin to battle with the Europeans. This year's included terrible performances by the mentally broken Phil Mickelson and Chris DiMarco. The 2008 Ryder Cup will be back in America and will be played at Valhalla in Kentucky.