European Ryder Cup hopeful won't beg Luke Donald for captain's pick: "I'm happy to accept that"

European Ryder Cup hopeful Matthew Fitzpatrick says he won't be begging Luke Donald for a captain's pick.

Fitzpatrick will be hoping to make his fourth appearance in the biennial showdown when the matches head to Bethpage Black on the outskirts of New York this September.

But the Englishman has struggled to find the type of form on the PGA Tour this season that saw him become a major champion at the 2022 US Open at Brookline. 

Fitzpatrick, 30, was once as high as sixth in the world rankings but has tumbled to 78th. 

"I've had brief chats with Luke," he told Sky Sports. "Being experienced now and knowing how it works, I'm not trying to force the issue.

"I'm not texting Luke saying, 'I really want to be there, it's really important for me.' If I play well, I'll be there. If I don't play well, I won't be there. I'm happy to accept that."

Fitzpatrick made his Ryder Cup debut in 2016 when the contest was held at Hazeltine. 

Then skipper Darren Clarke paired Fitzpatrick with Henrik Stenson in the Saturday foursomes and the duo were comfortably beaten by Brooks Koepka and Brandt Snedeker. 

He defeated Zach Johnson in the Sunday singles and struggled when the Ryder Cup was held in Whistling Straits on his second appearance in 2021. 

Fitzpatrick earned his first point for Europe alongside Rory McIlroy in 2023. 

The former US Open champion put on an electric performance alongside the Northern Irishman as they took down Collin Morikawa and Xander Schauffele 5&3.  

"My Ryder Cup experience hasn't been how you'd dream about it as a kid," Fitzpatrick said. 

"But I love to play the Ryder Cup, I love to be part of the European team with all the lads. At the same time, it doesn’t hurt me right now because I know where I am, I know where I lie.

"I'm not that close to the team and I've got to have some good results to come into the frame for a pick. 

"It's something I'm not even thinking about, I'm just trying to concentrate on where I am, getting out of the hole I'm in and going from there."

For his part, Donald has acknowledged Fitzpatrick has some work to do. 

Earlier in the year, he described Fitzpatrick as a world class player but pointed out his stats were average across the board and to compete with the very best he needs to excel in one area.

How the Ryder Cup teams look:

*As of 21 June