Matt Fitzpatrick marks his third Ryder Cup stint representing Team Europe
Matt Fitzpatrick clinched his Ryder Cup slot after tying for third place, allowing Sweden’s Ludvig Aberg to seize victory at the European Masters held in Switzerland. This stellar showing means Fitzpatrick takes over from fellow Englishman Tommy Fleetwood to grab one of Europe’s two last automatic qualifier spots.
Not to be left out, Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre also secured his Ryder Cup berth, albeit with a less-than-stellar 55th-place finish at the Masters.
Aberg, who finished two strokes ahead at 19 under par, has set his sights on becoming one of Team Europe Captain Luke Donald’s six discretionary picks to be announced on Monday.
His fellow countryman, Alexander Bjork, nabbed second place, both capitalizing on a late-game falter by Fitzpatrick in Crans-sur-Sierre. Fitzpatrick, the 29-year-old golf savant, racked up three bogeys in the final quartet of holes, thereby scuttling his chance to tie with the legendary Spaniard Seve Ballesteros for the record number of wins at this event. Fitzpatrick had previously triumphed twice.
Before this tournament’s dramatics, Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, Viktor Hovland, and Tyrrell Hatton had already punched their tickets for Team Europe via their performance on both the European and world points lists.
On the other side of the pond, Team USA finalized its 12-member squadron last week, ahead of the competition set to tee off from September 29 to October 1 in Rome.
Making his Ryder Cup debut, MacIntyre fought off challenges from Yannik Paul, Adrian Meronk, Victor Perez, Rasmus Hojgaard, and Adrian Otaegui to claim the third slot based on European points.
The 27-year-old Scotsman didn’t mince words: “The qualifying rounds were grueling, but I’m thrilled about how I navigated them to earn one of the coveted six automatic spots. I’ve poured sweat and tears to be a part of the Ryder Cup. The next mission? Bringing home the win.”
Fitzpatrick is no stranger to the Ryder Cup atmosphere, as Rome’s Marco Simone Golf and Country Club will be his third battlefield for Team Europe, following his participations in 2016 and 2021 in the United States.
As for the remaining wildcard slots, all eyes are on Captain Donald’s announcement come Monday. Aberg, who only turned pro in June, is the name on everyone’s lips, along with likely picks Fleetwood, Justin Rose, and Shane Lowry. This leaves two spots still up for grabs.
Stay tuned for more updates.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Ryder Cup
Who secured their spots on Team Europe for the Ryder Cup through the European Masters?
Matt Fitzpatrick and Robert MacIntyre have secured their positions on Team Europe for the upcoming Ryder Cup. Fitzpatrick clinched his spot with a tie for third, while MacIntyre claimed his place despite finishing 55th in the European Masters tournament.
Who won the European Masters?
Sweden’s Ludvig Aberg won the European Masters, finishing two strokes ahead at 19 under par.
How many times has Matt Fitzpatrick competed in the Ryder Cup?
The upcoming event will mark Matt Fitzpatrick’s third time representing Team Europe in the Ryder Cup. He previously played in the 2016 and 2021 Ryder Cups.
Will this be Robert MacIntyre’s first Ryder Cup appearance?
Yes, the upcoming Ryder Cup will be Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre’s debut on Team Europe.
Who are the speculated wildcard picks for Team Europe?
As of now, Ludvig Aberg, Tommy Fleetwood, Justin Rose, and Shane Lowry are among the names being widely discussed as possible wildcard picks for Team Europe. The official announcement from Captain Luke Donald is eagerly awaited.
When and where will the Ryder Cup take place?
The Ryder Cup is scheduled to occur from September 29 to October 1, 2023, at the Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Rome, Italy.
Who else has already qualified for Team Europe?
Before the European Masters, Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, Viktor Hovland, and Tyrrell Hatton had already qualified for Team Europe through their performance on the European and world points lists.
Who finalized the United States team for the Ryder Cup?
The United States finalized their 12-man team last week, although the text does not specify who those team members are. The competition is set to tee off from September 29 to October 1 in Rome.
What happened to Matt Fitzpatrick’s performance late in the European Masters?
Matt Fitzpatrick made three bogeys in the final four holes of the tournament, which caused him to lose ground and finish in a tie for third place. This cost him the chance to tie with Seve Ballesteros for the most wins at the event.
How did Robert MacIntyre secure his spot despite finishing 55th?
Robert MacIntyre was able to secure his Ryder Cup spot based on European points. He fought off challenges from several other players to claim the third slot on the European points list.
More about Ryder Cup
- Official Ryder Cup Website
- European Tour: European Masters Results
- Player Profile: Matt Fitzpatrick
- Player Profile: Robert MacIntyre
- PGA Tour: 2023 Ryder Cup Team USA Roster
- Interview with Team Europe Captain Luke Donald
- Historical Ryder Cup Records and Stats
- Marco Simone Golf and Country Club: Ryder Cup Venue
- Golfing World: Wildcard Speculations for Team Europe
- Ryder Cup History: Notable Moments and Players
