VIRGINIA WATER, England (AP) — Robert MacIntyre and Tyrrell Hatton have secured automatic qualification to Europe’s Ryder Cup team for next month’s matches at Bethpage Black, leaving just one guaranteed place up for grabs.

Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose and Tommy Fleetwood were already sure to be on the team, so captain Luke Donald knows five of his players for the defense of the cup on Sept. 26-28 .

The sixth and final automatic spot will go to Shane Lowry or Rasmus Hojgaard .

Lowry occupies No. 6 place in Europe’s points list but could be overtaken by Hojgaard, who has one event left in qualifying — the British Masters starting Thursday. Hojgaard needs to finish in a two-way tie for 29th or better to guarantee his place on the team.

Lowry does not have another qualification event.

Do

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