Stricker gets six captain’s picks as U.S. change Ryder Cup qualification

The United States have modified their qualification standards for this 12 months’s Ryder Cup and elevated captain Steve Stricker’s picks from 4 to 6.

The transfer comes after 11 PGA Tour occasions have been cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving fewer alternatives for gamers to attain factors forward the biennial occasion at Whistling Straits from Sept. 25-27.

The PGA of America introduced on Wednesday that solely six gamers will now robotically qualify by the factors system, whereas the qualification window was prolonged till the completion of the BMW Championship on Aug. 30.

Stricker will then select his six wildcard picks to finish his 12-man lineup to face Team Europe, with the crew announcement to happen on Sept. 2 or 3.

The Tour resumes on Thursday with the Charles Schwab Challenge, the primary occasion in virtually three months.

“With all the various changes to the 2020 schedule, it quickly became apparent that we would need to amend our selection criteria,” stated Stricker.

“…we collectively agreed that a smaller sampling of 2020 events — including just one major championship — would justify a one-week extension of the qualification window and an increase in the number of captain’s selections from four to six.

“These changes were sparked by circumstance, but conceived with integrity in mind. In the end, we believe they will allow us to put our best team together to compete at Whistling Straits in September.”

No resolution has but been made on whether or not this 12 months’s Ryder Cup will go forward with out spectators, with gamers on either side having spoken in opposition to enjoying in entrance of empty galleries.

The PGA Tour of America and the European Tour are anticipated to decide on the match later within the month.