Fitzpatrick not concerned about Ryder Cup chances ahead of European Masters

Englishman hoping to be named as one of Luke Donald's wild card picks

Matt Fitzpatrick is a two-time winner of the European Masters. Picture: David Davies/PA

Matt Fitzpatrick does not think his chances of Ryder Cup selection will be affected by his performance in this week's European Masters in Switzerland.

Fitzpatrick is hoping to be named as one of Luke Donald's wild card picks when the Europe captain announces his team on Monday, having not done enough to make the plane to next month's tournament automatically.

The 30-year-old is in decent form after a poor start to the year, having posted top-10 finishes at the PGA Championship and the Open and finishing joint sixth at last week's British Masters.

He reckons Donald has already decided who he will be taking to Bethpage Black in New York as Europe look to retain the trophy they won in Rome in 2023, so is not feeling under pressure to deliver in Crans-Montana.

He told the European Tour website: "People are sick of it (but) managing my energy and managing my expectations has been the biggest focus, not thinking about, 'I need to get a result here for the Ryder Cup'.

"That's probably helped my form in general. But also with it being so close to the picks now, my guess is Luke may have already made up his mind whether it's going to happen or not.

"So, this week might not be as strong a case as last week or the previous two or three weeks.

"So, I'm just going out here to try and win this tournament this week and then enjoy myself. So, I'll be focused on that."

A two-time winner in 2017 and 2018, the Englishman arrives in Crans-Montana for a ninth appearance in good form as he plays his fifth event worldwide in as many weeks.

He recorded his second top ten in that stretch at the Betfred British Masters last week and is counting on a philosophy he learned from putting coach Phil Kenyon being to his benefit in the Swiss mountains.

"It feels like my game has got better over the summer," he said.

"Particularly from where it was, I feel much happier with it and the direction it is going. So, obviously, that’s a big positive.

"It's just about maintaining that now and trying to make some more gains and keep climbing up the world rankings."