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.