We’re not far, now, from learning who will be on the European Ryder Cup roster.
But if you’re looking for clues, you don’t have to look very hard.
Officially, Euro captain Luke Donald will announce his final roster decision on Monday, September 4, at 2 PM ET. But as the golf world turns its attention to this weekend’s Omega European Masters — the final event on the golf schedule before the two 12-man teams are ensconced — it seems the very top of the leaderboard is already telling a chunk of the story.
Yes, a host of European Ryder Cup hopefuls are utilizing the last week of the qualifying window to put their final stamp on their Roman resumes, heading into the weekend at Crans-sur-Sierre GC in Switzerland with a head full of steam. So before we head into the weekend, let’s do a quick review of where things stand for the European Ryder Cup roster, and who has the most to gain from the rest of this weekend’s action.
What’s the latest on the European Ryder Cup team?
Unlike the Americans, who finalized their roster after the conclusion of last weekend’s Tour Championship, the Europeans have yet to name their full roster of a dozen players. Like the Americans, the Euros have six automatic qualifiers — players who earn their way into the cup by virtue of good play — and six “captain’s selections” — players who are chosen by Luke Donald to fill the remaining spots.
Who’s already locked in their roster spot?
The Euros have already locked in four auto qualifiers for Rome: Jon Rahm, Rory McIlroy, Tyrrell Hatton and Viktor Hovland. There are still two remaining slots for an auto-bid, and those currently belong to Tommy Fleetwood and Robert MacIntyre. But don’t get too comfortable seeing those names; as we outline below, a half-dozen players remain in the mix for those two slots heading into Saturday in Switzerland.
How do the European auto-qualifiers work?
Nothing in golf is easy, particularly as it relates to making sense of the Ryder Cup qualification system. Unlike the Americans, the Euros have two “points lists” that hopefuls can earn slots onto: the “European points list,” for players who earn points playing predominantly on the DP World Tour; and the “International points list,” for players who play on the PGA Tour or elsewhere around the world. The top three points-getters on each list come Sunday evening will earn an auto-bid onto the European team.
Who’s in the hunt?
Tommy Fleetwood
It’s proven an elusive summer for the career-defining win for Tommy Fleetwood, but things have been breezy in almost every other aspect. Fleetwood has recorded top-10s in four of five starts since the beginning of July, including an emotional T10 at the Open Championship at Royal Liverpool. As we mentioned above, Fleetwood currently holds the fifth spot on the auto-qualifier list, but with starts in the last two Ryder Cups and a 5-2-2 all-time record, he’s a safe bet to find himself in Rome even if he gets bumped from the list this weekend.
Is he playing this weekend? No.
How does he earn a spot? By remaining above Matt Fitzpatrick (below) on the World Points List at the conclusion of this week, or earning a captain’s pick.
Sepp Straka
At 7th in the world points list and coming off the best summer of his pro career, Straka seems likely to find himself on the Euro squad. Without a tournament this weekend, he’ll have to make it on the roster by virtue of a captain’s selection.
Is he playing this weekend? No.
How does he earn a spot? Captain’s pick.
Shane Lowry
The past major-winner has played well all year long — certainly well enough that Lowry will find himself in Rome. He finished just outside the FedEx Cup Playoffs but should still plan to be part of Captain Donald’s plans.
Is he playing this weekend? No.
How does he earn a spot? Captain’s pick.
Justin Rose
One of the most decorated match-play contenders on the European side, Rose will find himself among Donald’s captain’s picks.
Is he playing this weekend? No.
How does he earn a spot? Captain’s pick.
We told Jon Rahm the U.S. Ryder Cup news. He gave us an earful
Matt Fitzpatrick
It has been an up-and-down year for Fitzy, the 2022 U.S. Open champ, who has battled injury and inconsistent form but showed he’d found something in a T2 at the BMW Championship. He enters the weekend in 6th place on the world points list and on the outside looking for an auto-bid. A strong performance this weekend would cement an already-secure spot on Donald’s roster as a captain’s pick, but a really strong performance could bump him past Fleetwood on the world points list for an auto-bid.
Is he playing this weekend? Yes, and he’s holding the 36-hole lead at 12 under.
How does he earn a spot? By posting a T7 finish or better to earn an auto-bid, or earning a captain’s pick.
Robert MacIntyre
The pride of Scotland, MacIntyre nearly delivered the moment of the year at the Scottish Open before Rory McIlroy’s 2-iron one-upped him on the final hole. Unlike Fleetwood, MacIntyre would seem to be in danger of losing his roster spot should he get knocked out of the sixth and final auto-bid this weekend. Bobby Mac has never played in a Ryder Cup, and at 10th in the overall points list he could find himself excused in favor of a more seasoned name if he doesn’t cement his spot this weekend.
Is he playing this weekend? Yes, and he’s at three-under T62 through 36 holes.
How does he earn a spot? By beating Yannick Paul, Adrian Meronk, Victor Perez, Adrian Otaegui and Rasmus Hojgaard this weekend to earn an auto-bid.
Adrian Meronk
A long-thought sleeper for the Euros who’s recently turned into one of the team’s more likely competitors, Meronk finds himself with the opportunity to remove all doubt this weekend. He can secure an auto-bid by out-performing the mass of MacIntyre, Paul, Meronk, Perez, Otaegui, and Hojgaard this weekend, or he can wait for Donald’s captain’s selections on Monday. Considering his history at Ryder Cup host Marco Simone — he won the Italian Open in May and finished runner-up at the course two years ago — he’s a likely pick either way.
Is he playing this weekend? Yes, and he’s T5 through 36 holes.
How does he earn a spot? By beating the mass of fellow Euro competitors or earning a captain’s pick.
Ludvig Aberg
By far the most controversial of the possible Euro captain’s selections, Aberg is a star in the making who is still very much in the making. The 21-year-old would be the youngest player on either side at the Ryder Cup if he’s selected, and still ranks just 58th on the world points list, but he’s making a strong impression on Donald to earn one of the Euro team’s final roster spots.
Is he playing this weekend? Yes, and he’s T5 through 36 holes.
How does he earn a spot? Captain’s pick.
The Hojgaard twins
The brothers Hojgaard — Rasmus and Nicolai — have been dark horse European team candidates for the better part of the last 12 months. They’ve faded a bit down the stretch, but their combination of raw young talent could make either or both of them appealing to the Euro team leadership.
Are they playing this weekend? Yes. (Nicolai, -8, T8; Rasmus, MC.)
How do they earn a spot? Captain’s picks.
Adrian Otaegui, Yannick Paul, Victor Perez
A trio likely outside of the conversation for the final auto-bid with an outside shot of receiving a captain’s selection.
Are they playing this weekend? Yes. (Otaegui, -3, T62; Paul, -5, T50; Perez, MC.)
How do they earn a spot? Miraculous weekend comeback in Switzerland or captain’s pick.
Alex Fitzpatrick
The fiery younger brother to Matt would be a true longshot selection for the Euros, but a win this weekend (he’s two strokes back of Matt’s lead through 36 holes) could give Donald a second-thought.
Is he playing this weekend? Yes, and he’s T3 through 36 holes.
How does he earn a spot? Captain’s pick.