Rasmus Højgaard completes six automatic Team Europe qualifiers

Rasmus Højgaard has joined Tommy Fleetwood, Tyrrell Hatton, Robert MacIntyre, Rory McIlroy and Justin Rose in the European team for the 2025 Ryder Cup, securing the final automatic qualification spot in Luke Donald’s side.

Højgaard sealed his spot after his tied 13th finish in the final qualifying event, the Betfred British Masters hosted by Sir Nick Faldo.

The five-time DP World Tour winner will make his debut in the biennial contest after a qualification period that included victory over McIlroy at the 2024 Amgen Irish Open, and a further 10 top 20 finishes worldwide, including runner up at the DP World Tour Championship, the Zurich Classic of New Orleans on the PGA TOUR, and last week’s Danish Golf Championship.

Captain Donald said: “There’s no question that finalising the automatic qualifiers is a major milestone in every Ryder Cup journey, and I’m delighted to welcome Rasmus to Team Europe.

“Rookies can bring an energy and excitement that inspires even the most experienced players, and having been part of the team behind the team in Rome, I have no doubt that Rasmus will be full of enthusiasm for the challenge of Bethpage Black.

“All six players have put in exceptional performances across the qualification period, and I look forward to each and every one of them being a part of the 2025 team.”

McIlroy was the first player to automatically qualify, sealing his place in Team Europe with the help of four victories within the qualification period, including his famous win at the Masters in April to seal the career grand slam.

The World Number Two will make his eighth consecutive Ryder Cup appearance in New York, as the most experienced of the six automatic qualifiers. He has been part of every edition of golf’s greatest team contest since his debut in 2010 - and has been on the winning side five times.

Rose and Fleetwood were the next players to secure their places in Captain’s Donald’s side, with Major winner Rose officially securing his seventh Ryder Cup appearance by defeating J.J. Spaun in a thrilling play-off to win the FedEx St. Jude Championship for his 12th PGA TOUR title.

Since the qualification period began last August, Fleetwood has recorded ten top-ten finishes worldwide, most recently in back-to-back events in the US, finishing tied third at the FedEx St. Jude Championship and tied fourth at the BMW Championship. The Englishman will make his fourth consecutive Ryder Cup appearance next month.

MacIntyre and Hatton were the final players to secure their places before the qualification race came down to the last event.

MacIntyre sealed his spot after finishing in second place behind World Number One Scottie Scheffler at the BMW Championship. The World Number Eight was also runner-up at the U.S. Open behind J.J. Spaun in June and a month later finished in a tie for seventh at The Open Championship at Royal Portrush.

The Scotsman enjoyed a memorable debut for Team Europe in 2023, going undefeated as a rookie and earning two and a half points from three matches.

Hatton will make his fourth consecutive Ryder Cup appearance for Team Europe after making his debut in Paris in 2018.

Since the qualification period began last August, the Englishman has recorded two victories at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship and Hero Dubai Desert Classic, in addition to a runner up finish at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and a tied fourth finish at the U.S. Open in June.

Captain Donald will complete his 12-player team when he announces his six Captain’s Picks at 2pm (BST) on Monday September 1.

The Captain’s Picks Show will be broadcast live on Sky Sports in the UK, Golf Channel in the US and on Ryder Cup Europe’s platforms worldwide.