European qualification heats up
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With just over a month to go until the Ryder Cup monopolises our lives again, the European Team is finally starting to take shape.
Jose Maria Olazabal has now chosen three of his four vice captains and with eight of his 12-man squad confirmed, just two automatic spots remain up-for-grabs.
Matchplay specialist Ian Poulter was the most significant mover over the weekend as his tied-third finish at the US PGA Championship moved him ahead of Sergio Garcia and into the final qualification spot.
Martin Kaymer sits a place above the Englishman in 9th on the World Points List but after missing the cut at Kiawah Island last week, his position is looking increasingly precarious.
Two qualification events remain before the team is confirmed on August 26, with the likes of Garcia, Nicolas Colsaerts and Rafael Cabrera-Bello still firmly in contention.
Also in the mix is Staffordshire golfer, David Lynn, who catapulted himself up the standings after a superb second-place finish at the final major of the year.
A win at the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles next month would almost certainly push the 38-year-old into the automatic qualifying positions.
However, one man who looks set to miss out on an automatic spot is Ryder Cup veteran Padraig Harrington. The Irishman has endured an inconsistent year thus far and will need to rely on a captain’s pick to make the team.
Confirmed European Team for The Ryder Cup
Rory McIlroy
Justine Rose
Graeme McDowell
Paul Lawrie
Francesco Molinari
Luke Donald
Lee Westwood
Peter Hanson
