BIRMINGHAM, England – Rasmus Hojgaard secured the final automatic qualifying spot for the European Ryder Cup team, finishing in a tie for 13th place at the British Masters, a tournament won by Alex Noren on Sunday. Hojgaard needed to finish in a tie for 29th place or better in the tournament held at The Belfry to get enough points and surpass Shane Lowry, who was holding onto the sixth and final spot on the European team’s automatic qualifiers list. Despite being tormented by nerves, Hojgaard shot a final round of 71 strokes under par and surpassed Lowry. Noren shot 67 strokes, sinking a 7-foot bogey putt on the last hole to secure a one-stroke victory with 16 under par.
Hojgaard, who will make his Ryder Cup debut at Bethpage Black next month, received a call from European captain Luke Donald after his round.I don’t know what to feel. I was very stressed on the course today. I was telling my caddie, I don’t know how I’m going to be able to do this.
Rasmus Hojgaard
Donald added:You’ve earned it, you belong, and I’m very, very excited to have you on the team.
Luke Donald
Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Tommy Fleetwood, Robert MacIntyre and Tyrrell Hatton had already secured the other five automatic spots on Luke Donald’s team, which will defend the Ryder Cup. Lowry must now await one of the captain’s six selections to complete the 12-man team. These will be announced on September 1st. Rasmus Hojgaard’s twin brother, Nicolai, competed for Europe in the 2023 Ryder Cup outside of Rome.I know it was a stressful week, with many ups and downs, but you came out victorious and that’s what it’s all about. So you should be proud of yourself.
Luke Donald
