Matt Fitzpatrick and Robert McIntyre completed six automatic qualifying matches for Team Europe

Matt Fitzpatrick and Robert McIntyre completed six automatic qualifying matches for Team Europe

Matt Fitzpatrick and Robert McIntyre join Tyrell Hatton, Viktor Hovland, Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm in the 2023 Ryder Cup European Team, securing the final two automatic qualifying spots in Luke Donald’s squad.

Fitzpatrick qualified alongside Hatton and Hovland on the world points list after finishing third at the Omega European Masters in Switzerland. The 2022 US Open champion will play in his third Ryder Cup at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Rome, from September 29 to October 1, 2023, adding a home appearance to his previous appearances in the United States in 2016 and 2021. .

Scottish McIntyre will appear for the first time in the competition, which is held every two years, as he qualifies via the European points list alongside McIlroy and Rahm. He will play alongside Marco Simone as part of Team Europe one year after claiming his second DP World Tour title in Rome.

Captain Donald said: “There are many milestones in every Ryder Cup journey but there is no doubt that finishing in the Team Europe direct qualifiers is certainly one of them.

“These six players have performed outstandingly throughout the playoffs, and I am thrilled to officially welcome each of them to the 2023 squad.”

McIlroy and Rahm were the first players to book their places in the first Ryder Cup to be held in Italy, with four-time major winner and world number two McIlroy reaching his seventh consecutive Ryder Cup appearance as the most experienced European qualifier.

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The Northern Irishman has been part of every edition of Golf’s Greatest Teams competition since its debut in 2010 – being on the winning team four times – and capped off his latest appearance with the help of Rolex Series victories in Dubai and Scotland.

World number three Rahm is set to make his third appearance for Team Europe at Marco Simone, in a year in which he claimed his second major win at Augusta National in April.

The Spaniard was part of Thomas Bjorn’s victorious side at Le Golf National in 2018, and produced an outstanding performance for Europe at Whistling Straits three years later, contributing 3.5 points from five matches.

FedEx Cup champion Hovland is next to secure his place in Captain Donald’s squad, and the 25-year-old is set to make his home appearance after making history as the first Norwegian to play in the Ryder Cup two years ago.

Hatton became the latest player to secure a place before this week’s final qualifiers in Switzerland. The Englishman will be making his third successive appearance and is aiming for a second win on home soil after his debut in Paris in 2018.

Donald will complete his 12-man squad when he announces his six captaincy selections at 2pm (BST) on Monday 4 September.

The Captain’s Picks Show will be broadcast live on Sky Sports in the UK, Golf Channel in the US, and on Ryder Cup Europe platforms worldwide.

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