Paul Azinger took over the U.S. Ryder Cup team in more ways than one, persuading the PGA of America to give him four captain's picks and revamping the criteria so that money and majors determine who makes the team.

"I'm going to get the blame if it doesn't work," Azinger said yesterday. "I would like some of the credit if it does."

Azinger, a former PGA champion and cancer survivor, was introduced as the next U.S. captain at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Ky., where the 2008 matches will be played.

The changes were bold, and Azinger believes the Americans have nothing to lose. Europe has captured the Ryder Cup eight of the past 11 times, winning by its largest margin -- 18 1/2-9 1/2 -- the previous two times. Two months ago at The K Club, Europe became the first team to capture all five sets of matches.

Azinger wanted a qualifying process that would give him the best players, and it reflects his personality. He has often said during his 20-plus years on the PGA Tour that he got nervous only when cash or prestige were on the line.

"I just felt like it was time for money to be the barometer," Azinger said.

Under the new system, one point will be awarded for every $1,000 a player earns in the 2007 majors, and in regular PGA Tour events in 2008. Two points will be given for every $1,000 earned at the 2008 majors.

The PGA of America took care of one argument -- tournaments held opposite majors -- by offering only a half-point per $1,000 at those events. John Rollins nearly made the U.S. team by winning the B.C. Open, which was held the same week as the British Open.

Because the Ryder Cup points system was to begin after the PGA Championship in August, PGA president Roger Warren said players would be awarded one-fourth of a point for every $1,000 earned over the final 11 weeks.

The new system eliminates some glaring problems under the old criteria, when points were based on top-10 finishes.

Several players complained that they could finish 11th at the Masters and get nothing, while someone could finish ninth at the Houston Open and earn points. And with so many international players on the PGA Tour, there were some weeks when only a couple of U.S. players earned points. Warren said only 58 percent of the Ryder Cup points were distributed this past time.

Plus, it distinguishes between strong and weak events on the PGA Tour. Previously, a player earned as much from The Players Championship as he did an opposite-field event.

Designer Woods

Tiger Woods has been conquering golf courses around the world. Now he's going to start building them. Following other players-turned-architects, Woods announced he has formed Tiger Woods Design and will start looking for land to design courses.

"My goal is to provide a unique collection of amazing courses all over the world that represent what I love about golf," said Woods, who will be chairman of the company.

He did not say where his first golf course would be, although an announcement is expected by the end of the year and likely will be outside the United States.