Ryder Cup Qualifying Starts On Thursday
The battle for 2012 Ryder Cup places is set to unfold as the first event in the race for qualification draws closer.
The European Masters at Crans-sur-Sierre starts tomorrow with six players from the victorious 2010 team in the field.
“I’m excited the qualification period is starting. It will be interesting to see how the players perform,” said Europe’s 2012 Captain, Jose Maria Olazabel.
Ten players will qualify automatically, with Olazabal choosing two wildcards.
Lee Westwood, Rory McIlroy, Martin Kaymer, Miguel Angel Jimenez and brothers Edoardo and Francesco Molinari begin their campaigns in the Swiss Alps.
Five players automatically qualify through the European Tour‘s points list, with another five decided by the world rankings.
Luke Donald, Graeme McDowell, Ian Poulter and Padraig Harrington will all be looking for solid performances in the latest round of the FedEx Cup play-offs, which take place in Boston on Friday.
“It is going to be very difficult to make the team – to be one of the top five on the European points list or the world points list is going to be tough,” added Olazabal.
“The players will have to play really well to make it and I am sure they are preparing themselves to peak at the right times so that we can have the best chance to win.”
The 2012 Ryder Cup takes place at the Medinah Country Club in Illinois in September 2012.
