The qualification process for Europe’s 2016 Ryder Cup Team will conclude at next year’s Made in Denmark. The third edition of the tournament, which proved such an overwhelming success on its Race to Dubai debut 12 months ago, will finish on August 28, 2016, marking the end of the year-long Ryder Cup qualification race, which begins at next month’s M2M Russian Open.
At its conclusion, the leading four players on the European Points List – based on Race to Dubai points accumulated – and the top five players on the World Points List – based on Official World Golf Ranking points gained globally – will be confirmed as part of Darren Clarke’s 12-man team for the biennial contest at Hazeltine National, in Minnesota, from September 30-October 2.
Clarke will then select his three captain’s picks to complete the 2016 European team in the week commencing Monday August 29.
The Northern Irishman, who will compete in this year’s Made in Denmark at Himmerland Golf & Spa Resort this week, has welcomed the tournament being confirmed as the final counting event for his Ryder Cup team.
“We saw last year the fantastic atmosphere created at Made in Denmark, and I’m sure that will only intensify next year with the excitement of it being the final counting event towards The 2016 Ryder Cup,” said Clarke.
“It may feel like a long way off now, but Denmark will provide the perfect place to conclude the qualification campaign next year and I’m looking forward to playing the tournament myself next week to sample the atmosphere first hand.
“Like the players, I cannot wait for the qualification process to get underway in Russia in four weeks, and I’m sure there will be intense competition for places between then and next year’s Made in Denmark. I am fully focused on assembling the strongest possible side.”
Flemming Astrup, Promoter of Made in Denmark, said: “We are very honoured that next year’s Made in Denmark will be the final counting event for Europe’s 2016 Ryder Cup team.
“The tournament was a big success last year, attracting more than 80,000 people and creating a wonderful atmosphere, so hopefully with the added drama of The Ryder Cup race ending, it will only increase the excitement and enjoyment at the event. We look forward to welcoming Darren next week and we wish him, and all the players, the best of luck for the qualifying campaign over the next 12 months.”
All Official World Golf Ranking tournaments taking place between the start of the M2M Russian Open on September 3, 2015 and the conclusion of Made in Denmark on Sunday August 28, 2016 will count towards The Ryder Cup points lists, with the exception of any events scheduled during the week of the Olympic Games golf competition, from August 11-14, and including the Olympics themselves. In addition, Made in Denmark will be the only counting event on both lists scheduled to finish on Sunday August 28, 2016.
European Tour www.europeantour.com
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