While the United States roster may be set for Rome, there are several Europeans still vying for positioning at this week’s DP World Tour event.
Rory McIlroy (European Points List), Jon Rahm (European Points List), Viktor Hovland (World Points List) and Tyrrell Hatton (World Points List) have already automatically qualified, and the final two automatic spots — one spot from each points list — will become official after Sunday’s final round of the Omega European Masters at Crans-sur-Sierre GC in Crans Montana, Switzerland.
Matt Fitzpatrick (15 under), who sits three points behind Tommy Fleetwood for the final World Points List automatic spot, will look to close the deal Sunday when he tees off with a two-shot lead thanks to a third-round 3-under 67.
The Englishman has seen a resurgence in his game over the last month, tying for second at the BMW Championship and for ninth at the Tour Championship, and it seems his stellar form has made the trip with him across the pond.
Omega Masters: Full leaderboard
After playing his first 12 holes 2 under Saturday, Fitzpatrick stumbled at the par-3 13th, putting his tee shot in the water and eventually signing for a double-bogey 5. He got right back on the horse, however, making birdies at Nos. 14, 15 and 18 to solidify his two-shot advantage.
If Fitzpatrick is able to earn a spot on Luke Donald’s squad, it’d be his third appearance at the biennial event (2016, 2021).
One of the faces in Fitzpatrick’s rearview mirror is Ludvig Aberg, a rising star in the game who is a heavy favorite to be one of Donald’s six captain’s picks. (Data Golf says Aberg has a 70.4 percent chance to make the team, ninth among all Europeans). In seven starts on the PGA Tour this season, Aberg grabbed four top-25 finishes highlighted by a T-4 at the John Deere Classic.
The Swede has been solid all week, opening with a 64 on Thursday and following it up with a 67 on Friday. He kept the momentum going on moving day, firing a 4-under 66 that has him tied for second alongside Alexander Bjork and Connor Syme.
Aberg’s performance in Switzerland shouldn’t come as a surprise as he tied for fourth at last week’s D+D Real Czech Masters. If he can chase down Fitzpatrick on Sunday, it’d be his first win as a professional.
Alex Fitzpatrick, Matt’s younger brother, and Nicolai Hojgaard are tied for fifth at 12 under, three back.