Pebble Beach, CA …
Future European Team captain Padraig Harrington believes 2018 USA Captain Jim Furyk is correct in admitting the Americans are 20 years behind Europe when it comes to the committee business of the Ryder Cup.
In a first major initiative since his appointment a month ago, Furyk yesterday announced changes to USA Team qualifying and with more emphasis on increasing qualifying points awarded in winning the Majors.
Among the changes is doubling the points awarded to two points for every $1,000 earned in capturing any of the four Majors of 2018.
But then Furyk revealed he’s also paid close attention to the changes recently introduced into qualifying for the European Ryder Cup team.
Jim Furyk reveals he believes the US Ryder Cup committee process to be 20 years behind Europe. (Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)
”I did pay close attention to the recent changes Thomas (Bjorn) and Europe Ryder Cup Committee have initiated going forward,” said Furyk.
“They definitely talked about membership including the strong point that if you don’t join the European Tour you will never become a European Ryder Cup Captain or a vice-captain.
”That shows to me the definite importance being a member of the European Tour is to their selection.
”As well, what I thought was very interesting was a decision if you don’t take up membership of the European Tour you don’t have the opportunity to become either a European Team captain or a vice-captain.
“But it’s always about seeking the best players to represent Europe and I see these recent changes, and given there has been a European Ryder Cup committee for years they seem to be always meeting to identify the best way going forward.
“So, I think they have been a touch ahead of us and maybe 20 years ahead of us in that regard.
“But then they really are not doing anything different over there though some changes do seem odd.
“So I don’t see their changes to qualifying as a knee-jerk reaction to losing at Hazeltine”.
Padraig Harrington agrees with Jim Fueryk and the USA Ryder Cup Comittee proces. (Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)
Harrington, who is strongly ear-marked for leadership of the 2022 European Team in Rome, believes Furyk is spot on is revealing the US Ryder Cup committee, and only formed post their 2014 Gleneagles losing debacle, have much to do to make up when it comes to what has been in place in Europe for decades.
”Europe is definitely where it needs to be in terms of the Ryder Cup and clearly with the establishment first of a task force and then moving to setting-up a committee, the US have taken a big step forward,” said Harrington.
”This was clear as the had a good system in place last year for Hazeltine and you can see now with the changes Jim announced today the USA Team is evolving even further.
”But then in saying that, in many ways we are evolving even further in regards to the European Team and we saw just recently with the changes announced by Thomas
“The bottom line is that both Jim and Thomas want the assurance they have a qualifying system in place that works for each of them.
