he golf season has well and truly kicked into gear with two majors down and two go, and it means the Ryder Cup is increasingly coming into focus.
Team Europe get their chance to win the trophy back in September, when they welcome the American side to Rome. The return to home comforts is a welcome one – it’s now 30 years since the United States last came to Europe and won.
Jon Rahm will be a key component of that team and he continued his stunning 2023 with victory at the Masters, becoming the fourth Spanish player to put on the Green Jacket. Rory McIlroy unsurprisingly features high up the rankings, while Viktor Hovland’s strong major performances have him qualifying.
Matt Fitzpatrick backed up his good work in Augusta with victory at the RBC Heritage, further cementing himself as one of the key men on the European team looking for revenge later this year.
The likes of Sergio Garcia, Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter have all seemingly played their final Ryder Cup matches, after the trio resigned from the DP World Tour as the tension continues with those involved with LIV Golf.
The Saudi-backed breakway circuit has already disrupted the event, with the initial European captain Henrik Stenson stripped of the role after he joined the tour last year. His replacement is Luke Donald, who won the Ryder Cup each of the four teams he was involved as a player.
The Englishman will have six captain’s picks later this year, double the amount Padraig Harrington had in Wisconsin, after the new qualification process was confirmed.
Qualification for Team Europe began at the BMW PGA Championship in September last year, and will run through to September 3 this year. The top three on the European Points List will be earn their spots on the team, as will the top three on the World Points List who have not already qualified through the European standings.
Here’s how the qualification process is looking for Team Europe…
European Points List
(Players in bold currently qualifying)
|
Position |
Player |
Points |
|
1 |
Jon Rahm |
2910.53 |
|
2 |
Rory McIlroy |
2354.20 |
|
3 |
Victor Perez |
1427.58 |
|
4 |
Yannik Paul |
1401.14 |
|
5 |
Adrian Meronk |
1332.97 |
|
6 |
Shane Lowry |
1149.56 |
|
7 |
Jorge Campillo |
1125.33 |
|
8 |
Tommy Fleetwood |
1076.10 |
|
9 |
Thorbjorn Olesen |
1073.25 |
|
10 |
Adrian Otaegui |
1068.80 |
World Points List
(Players in bold currently qualifying)
|
Position |
Player |
Points |
|
1 |
Jon Rahm |
332.85 |
|
2 |
Rory McIlroy |
195.39 |
|
3 |
Viktor Hovland |
173.88 |
|
4 |
Tyrrell Hatton |
155.66 |
|
5 |
Matt Fitzpatrick |
128.47 |
|
6 |
Tommy Fleetwood |
92.35 |
|
7 |
Shane Lowry |
82.00 |
|
8 |
Justin Rose |
77.89 |
|
9 |
Seamus Power |
63.99 |
|
10 |
Adrian Meronk |
60.98 |
Standings correct as of May 23.
