Matt Fitzpatrick and Robert MacIntyre complete six automatic Team Europe qualifiers - Articles

Matt Fitzpatrick and Robert MacIntyre have joined Tyrrell Hatton, Viktor Hovland, Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm in the European team for the 2023 Ryder Cup, securing the final two automatic qualification spots in Luke Donald’s side.

Fitzpatrick qualified alongside Hatton and Hovland on the World Points List following his tied third finish in the Omega European Masters in Switzerland. The 2022 U.S. Open champion will play in the Ryder Cup for the third time at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club in Rome, from September 29 - October 1, 2023, adding a home appearance to his previous outings in the United States in 2016 and 2021.

Scotsman MacIntyre will make his debut in the biennial contest, qualifying via the European Points List alongside McIlroy and Rahm. He will tee it up at Marco Simone as part of Team Europe one year on from securing his second DP World Tour title at the Rome venue.

Captain Donald said: “There are many major milestones in every Ryder Cup journey but there is no question that finalising the automatic qualifiers for Team Europe is most definitely one of them.

“These six players have been standout performers throughout the qualification period and I am delighted to welcome each and every one of them officially to the 2023 team.”

McIlroy and Rahm were the first players to book their places for the first Ryder Cup to be played in Italy, with four-time Major winner and World Number Two McIlroy arriving for his seventh consecutive Ryder Cup appearance as the most experienced of the European qualifiers.

The Northern Irishman has been part of every edition of golf’s greatest team contest since his debut in 2010 - and has been on the winning side four times - wrapping up 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 the year in which he secured his second Major victory at Augusta National in April.

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

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

Hatton became the final player to wrap up a spot before this week’s final qualification event in Switzerland. The Englishman will make his third successive appearance and will be aiming for a second victory on home soil after making his debut in Paris in 2018.