Amid the Fast-Approaching 2023 Ryder Cup, All There Is to Know About Luke Donald-Led Team Europe’s Standings

One of the most prestigious tournaments in the game is just a month away, and the golf world is eagerly awaiting to see who will participate in the coveted Ryder Cup. Six of the players in both teams will get automatically selected much before the competition. Three players have already been able to qualify for a spot in the European team, while much is still unknown about the situation of the other three as questions arise for the same.

Many are on the lookout as the rest of the field will be confirmed following the conclusion of the three events on the DP World Tour including the ISPS Handa World Invitational, The D+D Real Czech Masters, and the Omega European Masters, along with the two remaining FedEx Cup events, the BMW Championship and the TOUR Championship.

Status of the top players to make it to the European team

As the event slowly looms toward the golf world, fans are eagerly looking up to the top players to make it to the European Ryder Cup team. The leading three players on the European Points list will automatically qualify for the tournament followed by the next three players on the OWGR.

Rory McIlroy (Already qualified)

McIlroy currently holds the leading position in the European standings with a total of 4033.5 points. Starting the 2023 season with an impressive triumph at the CJ Cup in South Carolina, the 4-time major winner was able to continue his top-notch performance in the Hero Dubai Desert Classic as he pulled off another victory. He followed it with an impressive win at the Genesis Scottish Open, which propelled him to the World No. 2 position.

Jon Rahm (Already qualified)

Tailing behind McIlroy is Rahm, who cemented his place at No. 2 with a total of 3417.23 points. Having an exceptional year at the game, he boasts a total of ten Top-10 finishes in the PGA Tour in 2023, out of which he won four. Moreover, the Spaniard was able to emerge victorious in the 2023 Masters Tournament which propelled his rank upwards.

Victor Hovland (Already qualified)

Currently ranked at 5 on the World Rankings, Hovland was able to clinch a position on the team as he makes his second consecutive Ryder Cup appearance. The Norwegian pro golfer has a total of two DP World Tour wins and four PGA Tour wins including a victory at the 2023 Memorial Tournament. Moreover, the 25-year-old has managed to finish in the top 20 in each of the majors, including the T2 position at the 2023 PGA Championship.

Robert MacIntyre

Hot on the heels of Rahm is the 27-year-old golfer on the European rankings with a total point of 1743.57. The Scottish pro is in contention for the final qualification spot on the rankings with Germany’s Yannik Paul who tails the golfer by 90 points. Having a total of four top-10 finishes in the DP World Tour in the year along with a T2 finish at the Genesis Scottish Open on the PGA Tour, MacIntyre has demonstrated his capabilities as he awaits the upcoming three events on the European Tour.

Tyrrell Hatton

Next in line for a spot on the team through the World Ranking list is the English professional golfer who is at No. 14 in the standings. The 31-year-old boasts a total of seven top-10 finishes on the PGA Tour in 2023 including a T2 at The Players Championship and a T6 at the Genesis Scottish Open. Hatton is in hopes of getting one of the last two spots on the team as he aims to increase his ranking with the upcoming FedEx Cup events.

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Tommy Fleetwood

With six impressive top-10 finishes on the PGA Tour this year, Fleetwood has positioned himself for a potential place on the European team. His recent performance at the FedEx St. Jude Championship, where he finished at T3, has also played a big part in his standings on the OWGR. Currently at the 15th place in World Rankings and the 10th place in the FedEx Cup list, the 32-year-old will look to improve his chances at the Ryder Cup team selection.

Apart from the automatic selection, the captain will have the chance to select six golfers to his team. Luke Donald along with Francesco Molinari, the vice-captain of the squad, will look to confirm the rest of the players to join the team for the Ryder Cup.

Contenders that may get a chance to get into the European Team

With the conclusion of the upcoming three events on the DP World Tour along with the FedEx Cup, it is highly likely that other players might get a chance to secure a selection for the Ryder Cup. Although highly unlikely, it is still unclear whether the quartet including Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood, and Henrik Stenson, who left the European Tour to join the Saudi-backed LIV Golf, will be able to join the team. Nevertheless, the captain will be able to select a few golfers to join the team. And among the many who are in the run for the selection include Yannik Paul and the Polish golfer Adrian Meronk.

Moreover, there are others including Victor Perez, Adrian Otaegui, Rasmus Hojgaard, and Shane Lowry, among others who might get the chance to play at the upcoming event on September 25. Who else do you think can get selected for the team? Do let us know your picks in the comments below.

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