USA Ryder Cup captain Tom Watson has announced that the number of captain's picks for the next Ryder Cup will be reduced from four to three.

The adjustment to the selection process was announced at a press conference on Wednesday ahead of the 40th Ryder Cup tournament, which will take place in September next year.

"Giving our players one more opportunity to earn a spot on merit, I believe, is the right thing to do," Watson told USA Today.

"I will use all possible resources in choosing these three captain's choices to complete the best possible team in order to win the cup back for the United States."

The points system to determine the USA Ryder Cup team begins on April 14.