Shane Lowry relying on captain's pick for Ryder Cup spot

Team Europe captain Luke Donald will name his six picks on September 1. 

Lowry has been overtaken in the rankings by Rasmus Hojgaard. Pic: AP Photo/Mike Stewart

Shane Lowry will have to be selected by Team Europe captain Luke Donald if he is to play at his third Ryder Cup next month. The Offaly man has been surpassed in the rankings by Rasmus Hojgaard for the final automatic qualifying spot for next month's competition at Bethpage Black.

The Dane finished tied for 13th at the British Masters this weekend, the last chance to earn ranking points. Lowry played at the Tour Championship at East Lake in Georgia, a tournament which does not offer Ryder Cup points. Hojgaard moved up three places in the rankings, eighth to fifth, joining Rory McIlroy, Robert MacIntyre, Tommy Fleetwood, Justin Rose and Tyrrell Hatton as the automatic qualifiers. 

"I don't know what to feel right now," Hojgaard told Sky Sports.

"I've been so stressed out on the course today. I'm over the moon right now."

Hojgaard had to finish tied for 29th or better to earn his Ryder Cup spot. He started his final round well with three consecutive birdies but then carded four bogeys over nine holes. He eventually finished on one-under for the round and eight-under for the tournament.

"I knew every bogey out there was very costly," said the 24-year-old.

"I was well aware of the situation and to be honest there's a couple of times out there where I really had to calm myself down and not let it spin out of control.

"That birdie on 15 calmed my nerves a little bit, but obviously put pressure on myself on 16 again. I felt like every hole was just a tough battle and yeah, so happy to be here now."

Lowry was a captain's pick by Padraig Harrington in 2021 and also by Donald in 2023. Donald will announce his captain's picks on September 1.