It's official! Azinger is the new Captain

[mcbush25]

and he has changed the qualifying system.

Well I just read on ESPN that Azinger officially accepted the captaincy and he has changed the qualification system. Check it out in this link below! The big thing I noticed first is there will only be 8 spots and there will be four captains choices.

http://sports.espn.go.com/golf/news/story?id=2651181

[Ken_In_CA]

Anyway to post it here versus a link? I'm at work and they blocked "sports" :)

 

Ken

[johnnystick77]

I love it. Anything that will give us a leg up will be nice. I think he's got a great idea. I heard his press conference and it sounded like he was onto something. People often refer to these two teams as even and let's face it. They're not. The USA has got to change something and this is a start.

[mcbush25]

Here you go, here is the article:

 

Paul Azinger, a cancer survivor and former PGA champion, was introduced as Ryder Cup captain Monday for a U.S. team that has lost a record three straight times.

 

His first order of business was to revamp the selection process, announcing a criteria that essentially goes off the PGA Tour money list. One point will be awarded for every $1,000 earned at the four majors in 2007 and tour events in 2008, with double points for the 2008 majors.

 

Opposite-field events will be worth only a half-point for every $1,000.

 

The other major change is that Azinger will get four captain's picks instead of two. But it was unclear when he would make those picks.

 

The qualifying process will end at the '08 PGA Championship, before the FedExCup playoff series on the PGA Tour that features three big events leading to the Tour Championship.

 

Azinger's only desire was to get the best players, and he figured the best way to measure that was money. Azinger is famous for saying he has only choked over cash and prestige during his 20 years on tour.

 

"We are always rewarded based on our earnings," Azinger said at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Ky., where the 2008 matches will be played Sept. 19-21. "I think it's the best way."

 

The Associated Press first reported Azinger's selection last Wednesday.

 

Azinger played on four U.S. teams, never losing to Europe during the prime of his career. His had a 5-7-3 record, but was unbeaten in singles (2-0-2), often taking on Europe's best players.

 

The PGA of America had asked Azinger to be captain of the '06 team, a job that likely would have gone to his close friend, the late Payne Stewart, but he declined. This time, he wasn't about to turn it down. The captain of the 2006 squad was Tom Lehman.

 

"It's the greatest honor you can bestow on a professional golfer,'' Azinger said.

 

Nick Faldo, a six-time major champion who has earned more Ryder Cup points than any European player in history, previously was announced as Europe's captain.

 

Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press

 

New Qualifying System

The following points system will determine the top eight players on the 2008 U.S. Ryder Cup team:

 

• One point for every $1,000 earned in the 2007 major championships (Masters, U.S. Open, British Open and PGA Championship).

• One point for every $1,000 earned in "official events" in 2008 from Jan. 1 through Aug. 11 (except event noted below)

 

• Two points for every $1,000 earned in the 2008 major championships (Masters, U.S. Open, British Open, PGA Championship)

 

• One-half point for every $1,000 earned in 2008 events played opposite the major championships and opposite World Golf Championship events between Jan. 1 and Aug. 11.

 

• One-quarter point for every $1,000 earned from Aug. 27-Nov. 5, 2006 for U.S. players who finished in top 10 in official events.

 

• Captain's four selections will be made at a date to be determined after the 2008 PGA Championship.

 

Source: PGA of America

[Ken_In_CA]

Thanks! :)

 

This should be interesting.

 

Ken

[NPVWhiz]

Have they named the other captain yet? I think Seve should move to London! How great would that be...

 

Maybe the Queen could make him an honorary citizen for the purposes of Ryder Cup captaincy!

[raehtz10]

Faldo is the other captain. Talk about an old rivalry renewed...

[Jer-Jer]

They're allowed to change the system?

[mcbush25]

I guess so. I didn't realize this either until I read the article today. I thought that the PGA changed the system not the captain.

[DrawDaBall]

Looks like the Money List will be the prevailing method.

 

But if you look at this years money list, Wetterich, Glover, Durant, Quigley and Dean Wilson would be right up there to make it.

 

I don't think of Wetterich, Wilson, or Quigley as being "hot" players..........

[nickpoz]

I guess so. I didn't realize this either until I read the article today. I thought that the PGA changed the system not the captain.

The PGA and Azinger worked together

[nickpoz]

Have they named the other captain yet? I think Seve should move to London! How great would that be...

 

Maybe the Queen could make him an honorary citizen for the purposes of Ryder Cup captaincy!

Why would he need to move to London?

[Schrup]

I found Azinger's comments about Tiger interesting. He stated "I don't think Tiger's real big on sharing his little secrets & stuff so he's not going to be a natural born leader of twelve guys". It seems that he's pointing out that Tiger holds back stuff that could help his team win. It seemed a lot was made, on the last team, of Tiger taking the Ryder Cup rookies under his wing. I wonder what Tiger's reaction to this will be.

 

I think Azinger might have been better served to talk to Tiger before he went on record with these comments & possible creating friction between him & his best player. Here's a link to the interview.

http://x.go.com/cgi/x.pl?goto=http://searc...nal&srvc=sz

[tbowles411]

I found Azinger's comments about Tiger interesting. He stated "I don't think Tiger's real big on sharing his little secrets & stuff so he's not going to be a natural born leader of twelve guys". It seems that he's pointing out that Tiger holds back stuff that could help his team win. It seemed a lot was made, on the last team, of Tiger taking the Ryder Cup rookies under his wing. I wonder what Tiger's reaction to this will be.

 

I think Azinger might have been better served to talk to Tiger before he went on record with these comments & possible creating friction between him & his best player. Here's a link to the interview.

http://x.go.com/cgi/x.pl?goto=http://searc...nal&srvc=sz

He gave Tiger mad props on the Golf Channel. He said (basically) that Tiger is an introvert. All business in the ropes. He'll probably separate him and Furyk to bring along the newbies. He's not going to force them to be something they aren't, like making them go out and be buddies if they aren't. It's fake and forced IMO. If Tiger wants to sit by himself and if a rookie wants to go drink, OK. As long as they come together when it counts.

[golfernut78]

what about the new system for players to make the ryder cup team. i like the sounds of it. i also like the azinger is already taking over his team.