Tom Watson has reduced his number of wildcard picks for next year's Ryder Cup at Gleneagles.

Traditionally, only eight top-ranked players qualify for the US team, with the captain picking four players of his choosing.

However, the 63-year-old has announced that one extra spot will be allotted via the ranking system, reducing his number of picks to three.

Watson, who is captaining the team for a second time, believes that the best players deserve to represent their country as they try to wrestle the famous trophy from European clutches.

"There's not a lot of method in my madness," Watson told reporters. "I just truly think the players themselves ought to have another shot at getting on the team because of their merit, because of their play.

"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 Ryder Cup takes place between September 18-26, 2014.