Five players out to end Bob MacIntyre’s Ryder Cup dream

Robert MacIntyre will have to fend off five players on the DP World Tour this week, with an automatic Ryder Cup qualifying spot on the line.

The Scot currently holds the third and final berth on the European points list, as Luke Donald gets ready to name his six wildcard picks.

It would mean the Oban man would have a guaranteed seat on the plane to Rome for next month’s match.

The 27-year-old has a host of fellow Ryder Cup rookies in his rearview mirror heading to Switzerland for the Omega European Masters.

According to Twitter user Nosferatu, two players need to win to have any chance of pipping Bob to the final spot on the European standings.

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Adrian Otaegui and Rasmus Hojgaard

Adrian Otaegui and Rasmus Hojgaard’s job could not be any clearer in the Alps, as nothing less than claiming the title will suffice.

The Spaniard has two runners-up finishes on the DP World Tour this season but missed the cut on his last trip to the Swiss venue in 2021.

The 30-year-old had a brief stint on LIV Golf last year and has made the cut on all three starts at Marco Simone.

Hojgaard is another player with a solid record at the Ryder Cup venue, but he can boast having won on the European circuit this season.

The Dane claimed his fourth title in July when winning on home soil, while his last win came in Switzerland at this week’s event.

A repeat of that performance could be enough, depending on MacIntyre’s finish, while Hojgaard’s brother, Nicolai, is also in with a shout of a wildcard pick.

Finishing one spot further down the list would give two other DP World Tour stars a chance of claiming the automatic spot.

Victor Perez

It is possible for the Frenchman to make his Ryder Cup debut at Marco Simone, if he finishes in solo second.

The 30-year-old has three wins on the DP World Tour, including the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in January.

Perez has played in three of the four major championships this year, finishing T12 at the PGA Championship, and beat MacIntyre in a Challenge Tour play-off in 2018.

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Adrian Meronk

Meronk has won twice on the DP World Tour this season, but none could prove more crucial than the Italian Open in May.

The Pole triumphed by one shot at Marco Simone and needs at least a two-way tie for second place in Switzerland to qualify.

Despite popular belief that Meronk will participate regardless of his finish, the 30-year-old will make a Ryder Cup debut should he enjoy a successful week in the Alps.

Meronk is not MacIntyre’s closest challenger, though, as Luke Donald has a German to keep an eye on this week.

Yannik Paul

Currently fourth on the European points list, Paul requires at least a three-way tie for third place in Switzerland to have a chance of edging MacIntyre.

However, a second win on the DP World Tour for the German would guarantee a place on Team Europe for the clash against the United States.

Paul has enjoyed a fine season, with six top ten finishes, but he could rue skipping the ISPS Handa World Invitational in August, given his prominent qualifying position.

Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, Viktor Hovland, and Tyrell Hatton have already secured a space on Luke Donald’s side.

Matt Fitzpatrick could steal the final spot on the Worlds point list from Tommy Fleetwood, while Donald will name the rest of his team on Monday, September 4.

John Turnbull A graduate of the University of Stirling, John joined the bunkered team in 2023 as a Content Producer, with a responsibility for covering all breaking news, tour news, grassroots content and much more besides. A keen golfer, he plays the majority of his golf at Falkirk Golf Club. Top of his 'bucket list' is a round of Pebble Beach... ideally in the company of Gareth Bale.