In the wake of the worst Ryder Cup loss ever by an American team, the PGA of America has adopted a new points system to determine 10 automatic qualifiers for the United States squad.
The new system goes into effect with the 2005 US PGA season-opening Mercedes Championship next month to decide members of the 2006 US squad that will compete against Europe's best at the K Club.
Under the new system, points are increased for top-10 finishes, majors and victories in regular tour events.
In 2005 and other years in which the US-Europe team golf matches are not played, winning a major championship will be worth 450 points, twice the prior value, and winning regular events will bring 75 points.
In Ryder Cup years, points will jump from 150 to 375 for regular tournament titles and double for top-10 finishes. A major championship victory will bring 675 points, compared to 300 under the previous system.
The top 10 players in the Ryder Cup points standings after the 2006 PGA Championship will gain automatic berths, with US captain Tom Lehman selecting the other two members of the squad.
Lehman, 45, will try to improve upon predecessor Hal Sutton, who was second-guessed after Europe won a historic 17 1/2 - 9 1/2 triumph over the host Americans in September.
