European Ryder Cup qualification begins at the Russian Open
Last Updated: 03/09/15 4:22pm
The race to qualify for the next European Ryder Cup team starts at this week's Russian Open, as players begin their bids to make Darren Clarke's side to go to Hazeltine.
Every European Tour event between now and next August's Made In Denmark will count towards the chance to feature in Europe's 2016 squad to take on the United States, starting at Skolkovo Golf Club this week.
"I am delighted that we are getting qualification for the 2016 European Ryder Cup team under way," Clarke said. "This signals the start of what I know will be an intense and exciting period for me personally and for everyone involved with The European Tour.
"However, as I said when I was announced as captain, I'm focused on assembling the best team possible to represent Europe and I think this system gives me the opportunity to do just that."
How does the Ryder Cup selection process work? We answer the key questions…
How is the European squad selected?
The top four members on the European Points list at the end of August 2016 will automatically secure their spots for Hazeltine, as will the five players not already in the side who have won the highest number of OWGR (Official World Golf Rankings) points over the same time period.
Should there be a tie in the World Points List, then the member with the highest world ranking will take the place in the squad. The final three places are taken up by captain's picks, chosen by Clarke in the week after the Made In Denmark.
What is the European Points List?
The list basically translates to the total prize money a player has managed to earn in the Race to Dubai events he has played in over the time period, with one point awarded for each euro won.
Bonus pools of money like those up for grabs in the season-ending Final Series don't count towards the list, although all funds earned in majors, WGC and regular European Tour events do.
Which events count?
Every European Tour event on the Race to Dubai between this week and the end of next August will count towards the European Points List.
For the World Points list, every tournament with OWGR points available between now and August 7 counts, as do all events on the weekend ending August 21.
No Ryder Cup points are available by participating in golf's return to the Olympics from August 11-15, while the final counting event for either list will be the Made In Denmark from August 25-28.
Can anyone take part?
Although any ranking event played globally counts towards the World Points List, only those who are members of the European Tour can be considered for selection.
Although it is not too late for a player to take up membership on the Tour, none of the prize money accumulated prior to that time will count on either of the Ryder Cup points lists.
How did the last European squad qualify?
World No 1 Rory McIlroy topped the European points list ahead of 2013 DP World Tour Championship winner Henrik Stenson, with Victor Dubuisson and Jamie Donaldson completing the four qualifying via the European Points List.
Sergio Garcia, Thomas Bjorn, Martin Kaymer and Justin Rose were the next four in the rankings and all made the Europe squad through the World Points List, as Graeme McDowell pipped Stephen Gallacher to the final spot.
Gallacher would later be handed a debut as one of Paul McGinley's captain's picks, with Ryder Cup regulars Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter completing the squad.
Who could feature this time around?
It's far too early to tell who will make up the 12-man squad next autumn, although the next few tournaments present a great opportunity for some of the lesser-known hopefuls to get some early points on the European list.
Former Ryder Cup players Edoardo Molinari and Soren Hansen both feature in Russia this week, while over on the PGA Tour McIlroy, Rose and Poulter are among the players involved in this week's Deutsche Bank Championship.
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