Ryder Cup Team Selection: The History of Captain's Picks

Captain's picks give Ryder Cup captains places to fill after automatic qualification. Europe introduced them in 1979; the United States first used them ten years later.

Europe's first picks: 1979

When the Great Britain and Ireland team expanded to include continental Europe, captain John Jacobs selected Peter Oosterhuis and Des Smyth. They completed the European team that played at The Greenbrier.

The United States followed in 1989

Raymond Floyd chose Lanny Wadkins and Tom Watson for the match at The Belfry. The teams tied 14–14 and Europe retained the trophy. The official history of captain's picks and UPI's contemporary selection report record those first American choices.

Six automatic places and six picks for 2027

Both teams will use that split at Adare Manor. Automatic places are earned through each team's qualifying points system; the remaining six players are selected by its captain.

The United States' move to six picks began with the revised criteria for the postponed 2020 match, played in 2021. The PGA of America's announcement cited the disruption to the tournament schedule.

See the 2027 qualification guide for the current points periods and selection rules.