Ireland’s Shane Lowry expressed shock and disappointment upon learning that his performance at this week’s TOUR Championship at East Lake Golf Club will not earn him Ryder Cup points, potentially costing him an automatic spot on Europe’s team for the 2025 matches at Bethpage Black.

The news, which Lowry discovered only on Monday, leaves the door open for Denmark’s Rasmus Hojgaard to claim the sixth and final automatic qualifying position with a decent finish at the Betfred British Masters at The Belfry, the final event in Europe’s Ryder Cup qualification process.

Lowry, currently holding the sixth spot in Europe’s Ryder Cup points standings, was under the impression that his participation in the PGA Tour’s season-ending event would bolster his chances of securing an automatic berth. However, the European Ryder Cup qualification system, revised for 2025, awards points only for DP World Tour events during this week, meaning players at the British Masters have the opportunity to earn points while those at the TOUR Championship, including Lowry, Harry Hall, and seventh-ranked Sepp Straka, do not.

“I only found out about that Monday. I thought I was guaranteed getting points this week. I thought I was going to be pretty much guaranteed on the team,” Lowry told NBC Sports. “I was somewhat disappointed to hear that. But the rules were made at the start for qualifying, and that was it.”

This quirk in the system puts Lowry’s automatic qualification in jeopardy. (Rasmus) Hojgaard, ranked eighth and just 13.6 points behind Lowry, needs only a two-way tie for 29th or better at the British Masters to surpass both Lowry and Straka and claim the final automatic spot.

Hojgaard, who shot a 3-under 69 in the first round at The Belfry to sit tied for 12th, is well-positioned to achieve that goal, given his strong course history with finishes of 16th and third in the last two British Masters.

Despite the potential setback, Lowry’s place on the European team appears secure, as captain Luke Donald is widely expected to select the 2019 Open Championship winner as one of his six captain’s picks, to be announced on September 1. Lowry, who required wildcards for his previous Ryder Cup appearances in 2021 and 2023, has a strong track record in the event, with a 3-2-2 record and a reputation as a fiery competitor. His recent form, including a T12 at the BMW Championship and consistent PGA Tour performances, makes him a near-certain choice alongside likely picks like Jon Rahm, Ludvig Aberg, Viktor Hovland, and Matt Fitzpatrick.

Still, the situation stings for Lowry, who had hoped to lock in his spot without relying on Donald’s discretion.

“I’ve been considered a certainty for Bethpage, but now I’ve got to wait and see what happens at The Belfry,” Lowry said, acknowledging the challenge posed by Hojgaard’s opportunity. The Dane, whose twin brother Nicolai played in the 2023 Ryder Cup, showed promise with a runner-up finish at last week’s Danish Golf Championship and a T20 at The Open, making him a legitimate threat to leapfrog Lowry.

As the British Masters unfolds, Lowry will be keeping a “weather eye” on the leaderboard from across the Atlantic, knowing his Ryder Cup fate may hinge on Hojgaard’s performance. For now, the Irishman, competing among the PGA Tour’s top 30 at East Lake, must focus on the $40 million FedEx Cup prize while awaiting Donald’s final decision. With five automatic qualifiers already secured — Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Tommy Fleetwood, Robert MacIntyre, and Tyrrell Hatton — the race for the last spot adds drama to an already intense Ryder Cup buildup.

European Ryder Cup Team

If Rasmus Hojgaard finishes T29 or better
Q- Rory McIlroy
Q- Justin Rose
Q- Tommy Fleetwood
Q- Robert MacIntyre
Q- Tyrrell Hatton
Q- Rasmus Hojgaard
C- Shane Lowry
C- Sepp Straka
C- Jon Rahm
C- Ludvig Aberg
C- Viktor Hovland
C- Matt Fitzpatrick
C-Captain’s Pick, Q-Qualified

If Rasmus Hojgaard fails to finish T29 or better
Q- Rory McIlroy
Q- Justin Rose
Q- Tommy Fleetwood
Q- Robert MacIntyre
Q- Tyrrell Hatton
Q- Shane Lowry
C- Sepp Straka
C- Jon Rahm
C- Ludvig Aberg
C- Viktor Hovland
C- Matt Fitzpatrick
C- Rasmus Hojgaard or Harry Hall or Matt Wallace
C-Captain’s Pick, Q-Qualified