Harry Hall’s form as of late may warrant a spot in Europe’s Ryder Cup team.
But a telling snub means the 28-year-old may have to wait a little longer for a berth in golf’s biggest team event.
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Hall’s dream of playing in the Ryder Cup looks set to remain just thatCredit: Getty
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Some are beginning to ask whether captain Luke Donald should consider Hall for his defence of the trophyCredit: Getty
According to Data Golf, Hall has been the fifth-best golfer from Europe over the last three months.
Following the Byron Nelson tournament in May, the Englishman has recorded a top 20 finish in eight out of the 10 events he has competed in.
The best of those came at the Charles Schwab Challenge, when Hall was tied for sixth.
Given his impressive form of late, some in the golf community may have thought Hall put himself in contention for a spot on Europe’s Ryder Cup team.
Why might Hall miss out on the Ryder Cup?
However, speaking to reporters at the BMW Championship at Caves Valley, the Cornwall native all but quashed any hope he had of helping Europe defend their crown at Bethpage Black in September.
When asked if there had been any conversations about the Ryder Cup, Hall replied: “No conversations recently. Just trying to play golf.”
He also confirmed he had not been fitted for a Ryder Cup uniform either.
The fact he had not been asked for his measurements was perhaps the most telling indicator the 28-year-old will have to watch on from the outside.
Being fitted for a uniform is considered standard practice for players who are at the very least on the radar to make the team.
How do players get picked for the Ryder Cup?
Despite Hall’s strong form in recent months, it is impossible for Hall to qualify automatically via the Europe team rankings.
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Europe hope to retain the Ryder Cup after beating the US in 2023
The top six in the rankings automatically qualify, while captain Luke Donald is afforded six Captain’s Picks.
At present, the top six spots are occupied by Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Tommy Fleetwood, Robert MacIntyre, Tyrrell Hatton and Sepp Straka.
McIlroy, Rose and Fleetwood have mathematically booked their spot, with the fourth, fifth and sixth spots still up for grabs.
Per the rankings, Hall sits in 19th on 598.38 points, which is miles behind sixth-placed Straka who has 1264.27 points to his name.
It is widely anticipated that Shane Lowry, Ludvig Aberg, Viktor Hovland, Jon Rahm and Matt Fitzpatrick will all get selected, which would leave Donald with one decision to make on his 12th man.
Although it may seem a distant dream, Hall still has aspirations of one day competing for Europe on the big stage.
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The 28-year-old remains a fair way off automatic qualificationCredit: Getty
“It would be massive,” Hall said.
“I remember growing up and Phil Rowe, my assistant coach at college, was my idol growing up. He played in the Walker Cup in ’99.
“We have his bag in the clubhouse and people always used to say, ‘H, are you going to put a Walker Cup up there one day?’
“And I would say, ‘Ryder Cup, mate.'”
Hall will look to continue his impressive form going into the third round of the BMW Championship as he sits T8 with a score of five-under.
However, he has his work cut out for him to finish atop the leaderboard as Scottish ace MacIntyre sits in front on 14-under, with Scottie Scheffler five strokes back in second place.
