RYDER CUP 2008

The race for Ryder Cup points is now well and truly on as the countdown to the 2008 match at Valhalla in Kentucky begins.

Keep up to date the latest rankings for both the European and American teams with our tables which will be updated each week.  Ranking have been fully updated at 18th August 2008.

Latest Ryder Cup news in the GOLFLINKS Magazine ...

Ryder Cup race hotting up (18 Aug)
Donald misses Ryder Cup (13 Aug)
Giant course might favour big hitters (5 Aug)
Even the Americans aren't sure if Tiger will be missed (Aug 5)

Fancy a bet on the Ryder Cup? See what's on offer with Sky Bet.

TEAM EUROPE

Germany's Martin Kaymer made the biggest move of the week with a tie for 14th at the SAS Masters in Sweden to climb to within 272 points of Denmark's Soren Hansen in the 10th and final automatic Ryder Cup spot. 

Dane Hansen took the week off, while England's Nick Dougherty consolidated his 14th place with a runner-spot behind Peter Hanson in Stockholm.

Hanson also gave himself an outside chance of a Ryder Cup berth after moving up from 24th to 17th standings.

The European Team will be selected employing the following criteria:

(i) The leading five players on The Ryder Cup World Points List as of Sunday, August 31, 2008, or at the conclusion of the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles, whichever is the latter. In the event of a tie (equal number of points accumulated), placings will be decided by the player with the higher ranking on the Official World Golf Ranking as of Monday, August 25, 2008.

(ii) The leading five players, not otherwise qualified (having selected the five players from The Ryder Cup World Points List) from The Ryder Cup European Points List as of Sunday, August 31, 2008, or at the conclusion of the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles, whichever is the latter. In the event of a tie (equal number of points accumulated), placings will be decided by the player with the higher ranking on The 2008 European Tour Order of Merit as of August 31, 2008, or at the conclusion of the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles, whichever is the latter.

(iii) The captain, (Nick Faldo), will choose the remaining two players on Sunday August 31 following the conclusion of the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles.

Q = currently in qualifying position in addition to world list top five

Current European Ryder Cup Team

1.	Padraig Harrington
2.	Soren Hansen
3.	Lee Westwood
4.	Sergio Garcia
5.	Henrik Stenson
6.	Robert Karlsson
7.	Miguel Angel Jimenez
8.	Graeme McDowell
9.	Justin Rose
10.	Oliver Wilson

Ryder Cup World Points List

1. Padraig Harrington	343.03
2. Lee Westwood	266.18
3. Sergio Garcia	242.46
4. Henrik Stenson	233.13
5. Robert Karlsson	204.76
6. Miguel Angel Jimenez	202.35
7. Justin Rose	187.14
8. Ian Poulter	183.37
9. Graeme McDowell	175.81
10. Martin Kaymer	152.17

Ryder Cup European Points List

1. Padraig Harrington	2,676,219
2. Lee Westwood	2,547,952
3. Robert Karlson	2,183,494
4. Miguel Angel Jimenez	2,092,170 (Q)
5. Graeme McDowell	1,993,608 (Q)
6. Henrik Stenson	1,905,482
7. Justin Rose	1,424,101 (Q)
8. Oliver Wilson	1,366,285 (Q)
10. Martin Kaymer	1,363,973
9. Soren Hensen	1,363,245 (Q)

TEAM USA

The American Team has now been selected - at least for the top eight places (see below) earned through qualification.

Qualification for the United States Team began with the four Major Championships contested in 2007, and will continue from January 1, 2008 until August 11, 2008 as automatic qualification for the top eight ends after the USPGA.

The remaining four places are reserved for captain's picks. The captain, Paul Azinger, will make those picks on September 2.

Note: Tiger Woods is out injured but tops the US Ryder Cup points table with 11,365.627. We have removed the World Number-One from the GOLFLINKS list to show you the US team as it currently stands ahead of the match itself.

US Ryder Cup Points List

1. Phil Mickelson	5,342.500
2. Stewart Cink	4,952.665
3. Kenny Perry	4,480.700
4. Jim Furyk	4,423.892
5. Anthony Kim	4,035.296
6. Justin Leonard	3,379.274
7. Ben Curtis	3,120.061
8. Boo Weekley	2,785.095
9. Steve Stricker	2,663.568
10. Woody Austin	2,422,983