How The 153rd Open is likely to play a major role in Team Europe Ryder Cup qualification

Ryder Cup hopefuls face a big week at The Open Championship in their bids to represent Team Europe against the United States.

With the weeks counting down until the qualification period to make Luke Donald’s team comes to a close, the onus to perform is on.

Rory McIlroy, who completed the career Grand Slam at The Masters, is the only player to have mathematically guaranteed his spot in the 12-strong team that will face the US at Bethpage in New York in September.

Tommy Fleetwood and Robert MacIntyre sit second and third in the rankings, with Tyrrell Hatton, Sepp Straka and Shane Lowry also occupying automatic qualifying spots.

The top six will make the team on conclusion of the Betfred British Masters hosted by Sir Nick Faldo on August 24, with Donald making six Captain’s Picks on September 1.

PORTRUSH, NORTHERN IRELAND - JULY 14: Shane Lowry of Ireland speaks to the media during a press conference prior to The 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush Golf Club on July 14, 2025 in Portrush, Northern Ireland. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

Rasmus Højgaard currently sits in seventh, on the outside looking in, after being in the top six for much of the qualifying period since winning the Amgen Irish Open in September.

As with each of the previous three Majors, 5,000 points are available, with 835 of those going to the winner. That compares to 3,000 for a PGA TOUR signature event, 2,000 for a Rolex Series event and 1,000 for a regular DP World Tour event.

That means that any player currently between seventh and 36th would enter the automatic places should they lift the Claret Jug this week.

And of course it is not all about points, with all of the top six and nine of the top 12 in the rankings having Ryder Cup experience, any hopeful rookie may have to catch the skipper's eye and there is no bigger stage upon which to do it.

The year's final Major is not the last-chance saloon for those Europeans wanting to head to New York, but the clock is ticking.