Ryder Cup qualification may be reviewed

Outgoing European Tour executive director Ken Schofield said on Tuesday that the existing qualifying format for the Ryder Cup is likely to be reviewed after this year's tournament in September.

Among the leading European golfers who are set to miss out on the event this year are England's Luke Donald and Swedish pair Carl Pettersson and Jesper Parnevik because they will not have contested 11 European tournaments.

"If it is going to disadvantage future teams or individuals I am sure it will be reviewed," Schofield told BBC Five Live. "The minimum requirement is always something that has been reviewed."

Schofield added: "I have absolutely no doubts that before I leave in December it will be reviewed again."

The European Ryder Cup policy board instigated the 11-event rule in order to encourage its players to support the home tour at a time when increasing numbers of Europeans are focusing on the US PGA Tour.

Schofield, 57, is due to stand down after 29 years in charge, in which time the tour's annual prize fund has increased from 430,000 pounds (760,700 dollars) to a record 72 million pounds (127.5 million dollars) this season.

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