USA Team - Ryder Cup 2008

Captain Paul Azinger

Paul Azinger will captain the 2008 United States Ryder Cup team when the biennial matches against Europe are held at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky.

"I just want to say that it is, I think, the greatest honour you can bestow on a professional golfer is to ask him to captain a Ryder Cup team, and I'm awestruck by it," said Azinger. The 46-year-old Azinger, a member of four Ryder Cup teams (1989, 1991, 1993 and 2002), will attempt to turn the tide for the once-dominant Americans, who have watched Europe win five of the last six meetings. The European's second straight 18½-9½ win at the K Club outside Dublin, Ireland, in September gave them three straight wins for the first time in Ryder Cup history.

US Team Selection

The method of team selection for the United States has been revamped for the 2008 competition. Qualification for the United States team began with the four major championships contested in 2007, and will continue from January 1, 2008 until August 11, 2008. The top eight golfers will automatically qualify for the 2008 United States Ryder Cup Team, with the remaining four places reserved for The Captain’s Picks. The Captain will make those choices on 2 September, 2008.

The selection process will be determined by the following criteria:

• Prize money earned in the 2007 Masters Tournament, U.S. Open, Open Championship and PGA Championship - one point for every $1,000 earned
• Prize money earned in official events in 2008 from 1 January to 11 August, 2008 - one point for every $1,000 earned, excluding major championships and events played in the same weeks as major championships and World Golf Championships
• Prize money earned in the 2008 major championships - two points for every $1,000 earned
• Prize money earned in 2008 events played in the same weeks as major championships and opposite World Golf Championships from 1 January to 11 August, 2008 - half a point for every $1,000 earned