While The US list may be set to Romethere are more Europeans still fighting for positioning at this week’s DP World Tour event.
Rory McIlroy (European Point List), Jon Rahm (European Point List), Viktor Hovland (World Point List) and Tyrrell Hatton (World Point List) have already automatically qualifiedand the final two automatic places – one place from each point 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 automatic spot on the World Points List, will look to seal the deal on Sunday when he starts with a two-shot lead thanks to a third-round 3-under 67 .
The Englishman has seen a resurgence in his game over the past month, finishing second at the BMW Championship and ninth at the Tour Championship, and it appears his star form has taken him across the pond.
Omega Masters: Full leaderboard
After playing his first 12 holes 2 under on Saturday, Fitzpatrick stumbled on the par-3 13th, putting his tee shot in the water and eventually signing for a double-bogey on 5. He got right back on the horse but birdied No. 14, 15 and 18 to strengthen his advantage by two shots.
If Fitzpatrick is able to earn a spot in Luke Donald’s squad, it would be his third appearance at the biennial event (2016, 2021).
Ludvig Aberg by Sweden plays his tee shot on the seventh hole during day three of the Omega European Masters at Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club on September 2, 2023 in Crans-Montana, Switzerland. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
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 Anders’ six captaincy choices. (Data Golf says Aberg has a 70.4 percent chance of making the team, ninth among all Europeans). In seven starts on the PGA Tour this season, Aberg captured 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 the moving day, firing a 4-under 66 that has him tied for second with Alexander Bjork and Connor Syme.
Aberg’s performance in Switzerland should come as no surprise as he finished fourth at last week’s D+D Real Czech Masters. If he can chase down Fitzpatrick on Sunday, it would be his first win as a pro.
Alex Fitzpatrick, Matt’s younger brother, and Nicolai Højgaard are tied for fifth at 12 under, three behind.