They’re Entering Home Stretch for Valderrama

This weekend’s PGA Championship is the final chance U.S. players have to accumulate points for the Ryder Cup, to be played Sept. 26-28 at Valderrama in Sotogrande, Spain. The scoring for the European team ends with the BMW International Open Aug. 31.

The top 10 finishers for each side will qualify for the 12-man teams, and captains Tom Kite and Seve Ballesteros will then select two other players.

A U.S. winner of the PGA will earn 300 points, which means that technically any player withing 300 points of the 10-place spot on the list can get an automatic qualifying spot. Players earn descending point totals down to 10th place.

The European point totals are based on prize money in the four major tournaments and Volvo Order of Merit events.

RYDER CUP POINTS

Through Aug. 10

With previous Ryder Cup teams, Ryder Cup record in parenthesis

UNITED STATES

1. Tiger Woods: 1185.000

Has not played Ryder Cup

2. Tom Lehman: 1016.286

1995 (2-1-0)

3. Justin Leonard: 888.500

Has not played Ryder Cup

4. Jim Furyk: 867.500

Has not played Ryder Cup

5. Phil Mickelson: 809.286

1995 (3-0-0)

6. Mark O’Meara: 801.250

1985, 1989, 1991 (2-5-1)

7. Brad Faxon:727.500

1995 (1-2-0)

8. Scott Hoch: 721.953

Has not played Ryder Cup

9. Tommy Tolles: 689.286

Has not played Ryder Cup

10. Davis Love III: 657.167

1993, 1995 (5-4-0)

11. Jeff Maggert: 646.625

1995 (2-2-0)

12. Steve Jones: 579.286

Has not played Ryder Cup

13. Mark Brooks: 549.750.

Has not played Ryder Cup

14. Paul Stankowski: 503.333

Has not played Ryder Cup

15. David Duval: 470.000

Has not played Ryder Cup

16. Fred Couples: 458.036

1989, 1991, 1993, 1995 (5-7-4)

17. Tom Watson: 433.667

1977, 1981, 1983, 1989 (10-4-1)

18. Michael Bradley: 402.500

Has not played Ryder Cup

19. John Cook: 376.000

1993 (1-1-0)

20. Kenny Perry: 372.500

Has not played Ryder Cup

21. Steve Stricker: 372.500

Has not played Ryder Cup

22. Jeff Sluman: 368.000

Has not played Ryder Cup

23. Mark Calcavecchia: 367.000

1987, 1989, 1991 (5-5-1)

EUROPE

1. Colin Montgomerie, Scot.: 842,230.78

1991, 1993, 1995 (6-5-2)

2. Darren Clarke, N.Ireland: 593,990.35

Has not played Ryder Cup

3. Ian Woosnam, Wales: 505,574.69

1983 through 1995 (13-11-5)

4. Bernhard Langer, Germany: 504,907.96

1981 through 1995 (15-14-5)

5. Lee Westwood, England: 459,530.17

Has not played Ryder Cup

6. Ignacio Garrido, Spain: 366,396.22

Has not played Ryder Cup

7. Per-Ulrik Johansson, Swe.: 333,710.30

1995 (1-2-0)

8. Thomas Bjorn, Denmark: 327,011.59

Has not played Ryder Cup

9. Miguel Angel Martin, Spain: 324,400.30

Has not played Ryder Cup

10. Costantino Rocca, Italy: 314,555.29

1993, 1995 (3-4-0)

11. Padraig Harrington, Ireland: 288,870.04

Has not played Ryder Cup

12. Jose Maria Olazabal, Spain: 266,784.06

1987, 1989, 1991, 1993 (12-6-2)

13. Paul Broadhurst, England: 255,644.68.

1991 (2-0-0)

14. Roger Chapman, England: 242,372.45

Has not played Ryder Cup

15. Joakim Haeggman, Swe.: 242,350.08

1993 (1-1-0)

16. Mark James, England:237,609.86

1977 through 1995 (8-15-1)

17. Sam Torrance, Scotland: 236,130.21

1981 through 1995 (7-15-6)

18. David Gilford, England: 213,232.42

1991, 1995 (3-3-1)

19. Peter Mitchell, England: 210,794.32

Has not played Ryder Cup

20. Russell Claydon, England: 198,415.00

Has not played Ryder Cup

21. Miguel Angel Jimenez, Spain: 198,380.18

Has not played Ryder Cup

22. Nick Faldo, England: 190,297.95

1977 through 1995 (21-16-4)