GLENEAGLES, Scotland (AP) — Francesco Molinari has been guaranteed a place in Europe’s Ryder Cup team following Ross McGowan’s withdrawal from the Johnnie Walker Championship with an injury.
McGowan pulled out of the Gleneagles event after shooting a 5-over par 77 that put him near last place during the first round on Thursday. The Englishman needed to finish first or second at the Johnnie Walker Championship to have any chance of making Europe’s Ryder Cup team.
Molinari, seventh on the selection points standings, is now one of the nine automatic European qualifiers.
The Turin player will become the first Italian since Costantino Rocca in 1995 to compete in a Ryder Cup.
