Rory McIlroy calls for change to Ryder Cup qualification system
By Sky Sports Golf
Last Updated: 14/11/16 3:49pm
Rory McIlroy is urging the European Tour to change their Ryder Cup qualification criteria to make more players available for selection.
McIlroy was part of Darren Clarke's losing side at Hazeltine last month, where Europe were beaten 17-11 in their first Ryder Cup defeat since 2008.
Paul Casey missed out on featuring after failing to play the required five events outside the majors and World Golf Championship tournaments to be eligible for membership.
Scotland's Russell Knox also didn't feature despite winning the PGA Tour's Travelers Championship, with McIlroy keen to find a new way of selecting future squads.
"You want the 12 best players from Europe, regardless of where they play or where they live or what they choose to do with their lives," McIlroy told Sky Sports News HQ . "We need the 12 best players on the European Team to try and win the Ryder Cup.
"I've been thinking a lot about it over the past couple of weeks. There are a few different ways to go about it and there are a few different options.
"I definitely don't want the European Tour weakened in any way and there has to be some sort of compromise we can get to, where the European Tour doesn't feel its events are weakened and there isn't a mass exodus to the PGA Tour."
McIlroy is one of a number of players speaking to European Tour chief executive Keith Pelley this week in Dubai ahead of the DP World Tour Championship, where the world No 2 still has a chance of topping the Race to Dubai standings for a third straight season.
The FedExCup champion needs to win the European Tour's season finale and also hope Henrik Stenson finishes outside the top 45, Danny Willett outside the top-five and Alex Noren away from the top two.
"I'm loyal to the European Tour because of how much it has given me, especially at the start of my career," McIlroy added.
"I want to be a global player and if you're in the World Golf Championships and the majors, then five tournaments isn't that big of an ask."
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