Rasmus Hojgaard will make his Ryder Cup debut for Team Europe next month after securing the final automatic qualification spot at the Betfred British Masters.
The year-long qualification campaign to feature in Luke Donald’s side ended at The Belfry, with Hojgaard the only player in the field who could overtake Shane Lowry and clinch the last of six automatic spots.
Hojgaard started the event eighth in the standings and 13.6 points behind Lowry, who was competing in the PGA Tour’s season-ending Tour Championship, leaving the Dane needing a two-way tie for 29th or better to secure his spot in Europe’s line-up.
The five-time DP World Tour winner followed scores of 69 and 71 with a third-round 69 to leave him tied-14th heading into the final day, where a one-under 71 saw him end the week on eight under and guaranteed the finish required to secure his Ryder Cup spot.
Hojgaard’s performance sees him jump three places in the standings to fifth place, making him an automatic qualifier alongside Rory McIlroy, Robert MacIntyre, Tommy Fleetwood, Justin Rose and Tyrrell Hatton.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Speaking on the Sky Sports Golf podcast, Wayne Riley believes that Europe are now Ryder Cup favourites amid the debate surrounding whether Keegan Bradley should be a playing captain
Donald will name his six captain’s picks at Sky Studios on Monday September 1 at 2pm, live on Sky Sports, ahead of the biennial contest taking place at Bethpage Black in New York from September 26-28.
More to follow…
Lowry surprised by qualification status
Only players competing in the Betfred British Masters were able to earn qualification points this week, with none on offer to the European players competing in the Tour Championship at East Lake.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
NBA superstar and avid golf fan Steph Curry speaks ahead of the Ryder Cup in New York and discusses his excitement for the tournament
Sepp Straka, Ludvig Åberg and Viktor Hovland – all part of the victorious 2023 team – were among those in PGA Tour action, along with in-form Harry Hall, with Lowry unaware that no points were going to be available at East Lake.
“I only found out about that Monday,” Lowry admitted after his second-round 63. “I thought I was guaranteed getting points this week.
Shane Lowry is looking to make a third consecutive Ryder Cup appearance
“I thought I was going to be pretty much guaranteed on the team. Yeah, I was somewhat disappointed to hear that, but the rules were made at the start for qualifying and that was it.
“I think I finished four points behind Tyrrell [Hatton], which is pretty much a shot, which would have been nice. It looks like he’s probably going to pass me up and I’m going to need a pick next week, so hopefully I get a nice phone call off Luke.”
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Speaking on the Sky Sports Golf podcast, Sir Nick Faldo discusses the names in contention to feature for Team USA at the Ryder Cup
How can I watch the next Ryder Cup?
Sky Sports will continue to be the home of the Ryder Cup, with all three days of the 2025 exclusively live.
There will be extended live coverage from every day of Ryder Cup week, starting on Monday September 22, with round-the-clock coverage then live from 9am on Friday September 26. Not got Sky? Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract on NOW.