LIV Golf pro slams European Ryder Cup changes: “Another nail in the coffin”

LIV Golf League pro Richard Bland has slated the changes that were announced for Europe’s Ryder Cup qualification criteria.

Richard Bland, a professional golfer on LIV Golf, stated that the Ryder Cup is now considered to be just like any other PGA Tour event due to the changes made to Europe’s qualification process.

The blue and gold representatives for the biennial event in New York next September will be chosen based on a single qualifying list.

In the past, the team used to be chosen based on a global points list and a European points list, but authorities at Wentworth HQ have decided to no longer utilize that system.

European captain Luke Donald will retain six captain’s picks under the new modifications.

But some golf fans and analysts have suggested that the new system favours American play over the Old World circuit.

Bland told GolfMagic: “It’s almost like another nail in the coffin the for the DP World Tour by the sounds of it.

“It’s sad. I think it’s sad. I understand strength plays in America, but we’re also giving our strength to America, you know?

“I have made no secret that I wasn’t a fan of giving your 10 best players every single year to a rival tour.

It is what it is. I didn’t make that decision.”

Bland was referring to the fact the top-10 players in the Race to Dubai receive PGA Tour cards.

It’s a controversial topic and one that former European Tour Group chief executive Keith Pelley vehemently defended.

Before he upped sticks and returned to Canada, Pelley made it clear that the Tour was just formalising a pathway that always existed.

Others, such as Bland, appear unconvinced.

It [the changes] just says that anyone playing full-time DP World Tour [events] can’t play in the Ryder Cup – you can’t make it.

“The world rankings have gone that way, and now the Ryder Cup is going that way.”

He added: “You look at the Presidents Cup and you’ve got someone like Foxy [Ryan Fox] who was second [in the rankings] on the DP World Tour two years ago and he can’t play.

“I mean, really?

“It just seems like it’s another PGA Tour event, the Ryder Cup is just another PGA Tour event just as the Presidents Cup is.

“It doesn’t say much for the guys that are up-and-coming in the game [trying to play Ryder Cup and being told] you can’t do it from Europe.

“You’ve only got to look at the world rankings – how many guys in the DP World Tour are in the top 100 in the world? Two, maybe?

“Trust me they are nowhere near 50th.

“I think it’s a sad day for the DP World guys.”

LIV Golf players can still participate in the Ryder Cup as long as they maintain their membership in the DP World Tour and compete in at least four events.

Former world number one Jon Rahm and his teammate Tyrrell Hatton will benefit from this positive development.

Both athletes made significant contributions in leading Team Europe to victory over the American team in Italy at the Marco Simone Golf & Country Club last September.

When Rahm and Hatton made the decision to participate in the breakaway tour, their future in the Ryder Cup became uncertain.

Hatton has already stated his intention to participate in DP World Tour events following the completion of LIV’s third season.

Rahm also desires to participate in DP World Tour tournaments later in the season. He mentioned that he may not be able to pursue his goal due to complications arising from his wife Kelley’s third pregnancy.

The process to determine who will qualify for the 2025 European Ryder Cup team will start at the British Masters tournament, which will be held at The Belfry by Sir Nick Faldo later this month. The qualification period will last until August of the following year.

The Ryder Cup scheduled for 2025 will be held at Bethpage Black from September 26th to 28th.

“Bland discussed his upcoming participation in the International Series event in England on the Asian Tour with GolfMagic.”

The English golfer has been assigned a tee time of 11.50am on Thursday at Foxhills, where he will be playing alongside Thomas Pieters and Jason Kokrak.