How the U.S. Open can play a major role for Team Europe

The U.S. Open is often called the toughest test in golf and this week at Oakmont Country Club it is expected to live up to that reputation.

A course that is already regarded as one of the most difficult on the planet will see five-inch rough and greens running up to 15 on the Stimpmeter for the third Major Championship of the season.

The Majors are where legacies are built but as well as playing for the trophy and a place in the history books, there are vital Ryder Cup points on offer as Luke Donald edges closer to finalising his European team.

At each of the Majors there are 5,000 qualification points available in total, with 835 of those going to the winner. That compares to 3,000 for a PGA TOUR signature event, 2,000 for a Rolex Series event and 1,000 for a regular DP World Tour event.

That means a win this week for Victor Perez, who currently sits 82nd in the European Rankings, could move him into an automatic spot.

And you do not have to win to make a big impact – the 555 points earned by Justin Rose for finishing second at the Masters represent over 60% of his total points sitting seventh in the Rankings.

And of course it is not all about the points with six captain’s picks also in play.

Niklas Nørgaard was our early leader in the Rankings after his win at the Betfred British Masters hosted by Sir Nick Faldo but is now 11th and would be relying on his captain.

The Dane missed the cut on his Major debut at the US PGA Championship but now once again has the chance to catch the eye as he mixes it with the world’s best.

It is all to play for in Pennsylvania.