A look at Europe's nine automatic Ryder Cup qualifiers for Hazeltine
Monday 22 August 2016 06:02, UK
The European Ryder Cup qualification period runs through to this week's Made In Denmark, but all nine spots have been filled with a tournament to spare.
Five of the positions are occupied by rookies, as Europe go in search for a fourth consecutive victory over the USA.
The top six in the standings had already cemented their place in Darren Clarke's team, with Rory McIlroy and Masters champion Danny Willett topping the pile.
Claret Jug holder Henrik Stenson was also in through the European Points List, while Sergio Garcia and Olympic gold medallist Justin Rose are the next best on the World Points List.
Spain's Rafa Cabrera Bello is in the European line-up after an impressive year, which left six players still in the hunt for the final three automatic places heading in to the Czech Masters and Wyndham Championship.
IN
Chris Wood celebrated a double success this week despite not being in action, as the BMW champion got married and also had his all-but certain Ryder Cup debut mathematically confirmed.
With Thomas Pieters finishing runner-up in Prague, that meant Matt Fitzpatrick's fifth place showing was enough to lift him to 153.58 in the world list and guarantee his Ryder Cup debut.
Despite making an early exit in the Czech Republic, Andy Sullivan remains slightly ahead of his compatriot and has an unassailable advantage over the chasing pack.
NEEDING A PICK
A top-12 finish at the Wyndham Championship would have kept Tyrrell Hatton in the race heading in to the final week of qualifying, but the young Englishman posted rounds of 68 and 71 to miss the cut.
US Open runner-up Shane Lowry was the only other player featuring at Sedgefield Country Club still with a chance of automatic qualification, although the Irishman fell some way short of the fourth place he required.
Thomas Pieters had to win in Prague and at this week's Made In Denmark to snatch a spot, with the Belgian seeing his qualifying hopes ended when he fell one-stroke short of Paul Peterson.
The three captain's picks will be announced by Clarke at Wentworth on August 30.
European team:
- Rory McIlroy
- Danny Willett
- Henrik Stenson
- Chris Wood
- Sergio Garcia
- Justin Rose
- Rafa Cabrera Bello
- Andy Sullivan
- Matt Fitzpatrick
- WILDCARD
- WILDCARD
- WILDCARD
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