The race to next year’s Ryder Cup at Adare Manor in Ireland begins on Thursday at the Belfry in Warwickshire.

Luke Donald, the European captain who masterminded memorable victories in Rome and New York, is making only his third start of the DP World Tour season as he takes a close look on the early runners. His team the last two years has been pretty rigid, with only the Hojgaard brothers coming in and out.

Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood and Matt Fitzpatrick might be staples of recent teams and contesting the Tour Championship in America, but technically, the points race begins at this week's Husqvarna British Masters hosted by Sir Nick Faldo, with eligible DP World Tour members able to earn Ryder Cup points across a year-long qualification process ending on Sunday August 22, 2027.

After that, the leading six players from the Ryder Cup points list will earn automatic qualification for Team Europe, before Donald adds a further six captain’s picks.

On your marks: Luke Donald fired the starting gun on the Ryder Cup race at the British Masters at the Belfry.

placeholder image — On your marks: Luke Donald fired the starting gun on the Ryder Cup race at the British Masters at the Belfry.

Donald said: “I think whenever qualification period kicks in, especially as I remember as a player, you know, it's sort of like almost like a reset. You've a different focus, different goals. You suddenly have something else to play for week-in, week-out, not just the event.”

And in a message to the hopefuls, he added: "I don't think we had ever had so many pass from one Ryder Cup to the next, same DNA, as we did for New York. I expect there to be some new blood this time, and I think that's important.”

With the Fitzpatricks contesting the PGA Tour Championship in Atlanta, there are eight Yorkshireman teeing off at the Belfry hoping to make a positive impression.

Harrogate’s John Parry and Northallerton’s Dan Brown are back from the PGA Tour while Wakefield’s Dan Bradbury has shown he knows how to win on the DP World Tour, with victories giving a huge leg-up in the points race.

Luke Donald speaking to media at The Belfry Hotel & Resort, Sutton Coldfield, ahead of the Husqvarna British Masters hosted by Sir Nick Faldo.

Sheffield’s Danny Willett played in the 2016 Ryder Cup and is looking to regain form, while Doncaster’s Joshua Berry, Sheffield’s Sam Bairstow, Barnsley’s Ben Schmidt and Leeds’ Daniel Gavins probably have more modest ambitions as they look to secure their futures on the tour for next season.