McIlroy, Westwood want change to Ryder Cup selection

[Ernest Jones]

1 hour ago, colin007 said:

Westwood should be pushing for anything that keeps him off of that team… 

Lol

[The Recreational Golfer]

This didn't seem to be a problem when Europe was winning all those Ryder Cups earlier. Sounds like sour grapes to me.

[turtleback]

24 minutes ago, The Recreational Golfer said:

This didn't seem to be a problem when Europe was winning all those Ryder Cups earlier. Sounds like sour grapes to me.

I don't think it has anything to do with winning or not winning the cup.  I think it has to do with the Eurotour trying to strongarm the best Europeans into playing more of their events.  

[iacas]

On 11/7/2016 at 11:43 AM, turtleback said:

I don't think it has anything to do with winning or not winning the cup.  I think it has to do with the Eurotour trying to strongarm the best Europeans into playing more of their events.  

Yep.

[Buckeyebowman]

OK, we've decided that it is based upon citizenship to a certain nation, and not which tour you play. But here's a question that occurred to me. Suppose Rory, or Lee, or Justin decided to become a naturalized citizen of the U.S. Could they then be considered for a spot on the U.S. Ryder Cup team?

[natureboy]

On 11/7/2016 at 11:43 AM, turtleback said:

I don't think it has anything to do with winning or not winning the cup.  I think it has to do with the Eurotour trying to strongarm the best Europeans into playing more of their events.  

And players who want more flexibility (fewer mandatory tournaments) using their desire for wins (to boost their tour's rep) to push for that.

1 hour ago, Buckeyebowman said:

Suppose Rory, or Lee, or Justin decided to become a naturalized citizen of the U.S. Could they then be considered for a spot on the U.S. Ryder Cup team?

Probably, but it's not a quick process.

[carpediem4300]

Be difficult for Lee now he doesnt live in the USA, but could be do-able by the other too, if they wanted their home nations to hate them of course,.....

It's the only leverage the Euro tour has got because their events for the most part cant bring in the revenue to attract the big stars, if the purses week in week out matched those of the PGA I would find it highly likely that European pro's would move back over and have their bases closer to their natural home.

[Buckeyebowman]

True, but that's part of the reason the Euros want to come here to play. Here's where their major sponsors are headquartered, and here is where the big money is.

I don't know if it's still the same way, but one weapon the European Tour had was they could offer appearance money, which the PGA Tour does not do! I once read an article about Tiger playing a Euro Tour event that he went on to win. The sponsors were delighted! Not only did Tiger stick around for the weekend, thus selling a ton of tickets for them, but he put his name on the list of that tournament's winners for all time. That carries some weight in public perception of the event.

The article went on to explain that far too many American pros, at least at that time, would agree to come play, slap it around Thursday and Friday, miss the cut, pocket the appearance fee, and take their wife or girlfriend to Rome, Paris, or London for the weekend!

[carpediem4300]

Completely agree @Buckeyebowman the allure of the PGA tour is too much for them to turn down, the only reason westwood is back on the Euro tour is so he can live close to his kids in Scotland, if that situation didnt play out he would of stated stateside.

 

I didnt know about the appearance fee's on the euro tour but i would imagine it only applies to top ranked golfers, 

Looking through PGA event Purses the lowest this year was the puerto rico at £3m but averaged around £8m, on the euro tour purses get as low as £1.5m and average around £3m (discounting majors/WGC events)

If you finish top ten every tourno on the PGA tour I reckon you would take home £3-£5m over the course of a season, Euro tour i would imagine £1m at best??

[MacDutch]

On 10-11-2016 at 4:23 AM, Buckeyebowman said:

 But here's a question that occurred to me. Suppose Rory, or Lee, or Justin decided to become a naturalized citizen of the U.S. Could they then be considered for a spot on the U.S. Ryder Cup team?

Why not? It happens e.g. at the Olympics. Chinese tabletennis players naturalized to Dutch play for the Netherlands, same with long distance runners from Kenia/Nigeria.

[carpediem4300]

2 hours ago, MacDutch said:

Why not? It happens e.g. at the Olympics. Chinese tabletennis players naturalized to Dutch play for the Netherlands, same with long distance runners from Kenia/Nigeria.

actually a good point the UK has alot of runners from USA, Kenya, Nigeria etc

[iacas]

8 hours ago, carpediem4300 said:

Completely agree @Buckeyebowman the allure of the PGA tour is too much for them to turn down, the only reason westwood is back on the Euro tour is so he can live close to his kids in Scotland, if that situation didnt play out he would of stated stateside.

I don't think that's the only reason.

I think his relative lack of success here had a bit to do with it, too.

[Hardspoon]

20 hours ago, Buckeyebowman said:

I don't know if it's still the same way, but one weapon the European Tour had was they could offer appearance money, which the PGA Tour does not do!

This is ...but the PGA sponsors are pretty clever about finding ways to work around this rule and offer what are effectively appearance fees.

 

On 11/9/2016 at 10:23 PM, Buckeyebowman said:

Suppose Rory, or Lee, or Justin decided to become a naturalized citizen of the U.S. Could they then be considered for a spot on the U.S. Ryder Cup team?

Yes, if you're a naturalized citizen, you are eligible, per the PGA:

A competitor will be considered a National of a country if the competitor is a citizen of the country, as defined by the laws of such country.

 

[Strat-Pack Rick]

After reading the article from the link i was confused about Russell Knox. It said he didnt have enough euro points to qualify but i thought he had a chance at a captains pick but was overlooked for someone else. Im guessing im wrong but all ive heard is how bummed Knox was for being overlooked.  I see what they are saying about Paul Casey but not Russell Knox.  I guess Rory is going Mickelson on euro powers that be.

[Buckeyebowman]

On 11/11/2016 at 0:46 PM, iacas said:

I don't think that's the only reason.

I think his relative lack of success here had a bit to do with it, too.

OK! But I wasn't speaking about Westwood only.