Rasmus Hojgaard pips Shane Lowry to final automatic Ryder Cup place

Rasmus Hojgaard overcame a stressful final day of the Betfred British Masters to book the final automatic place for Europe's Ryder Cup team next month.

Hojgaard will make his debut in the showpiece at Bethpage after finishing in a tie for 13th, more than enough to earn enough points to knock Shane Lowry out of the six automatic places in the standings.

The Dane, whose twin-brother Nicolai made his Ryder Cup debut in Rome two years ago, arrived at the Belfry knowing he needed a top-29 finish to secure his place on Luke Donald's team.

He was comfortably in the top-20 throughout the tournament after rounds of 69, 71 and 69, and he appeared likely to mount a challenge for the title when he birdied three of the first four holes on the final day.

But the pressure told on the 24-year-old as he stumbled to four bogeys either side of the turn, although he steadied his nerves with a crucial birdie on the 15th.

Hojgaard parred safely in to post a score of eight under par, and his emotions were a mixture of relief and excitement as he pondered the prospect of taking on Team USA next month.

"I don't know what to feel right now," he said afterwards. "I've been so stressed out on the course today. I was telling Tom, my caddie, 'I don't know how I'm going to be able to do this'.

"But I managed to make a good four on the last hole there there, so I'm over the moon right now.

"I knew every bogey out there was very costly, so I was well aware of the situation. There were a couple times out there when I really had to calm myself down and not let it spin out of control. 

"That birdie on 15 calmed my nerves a little bit but then I put pressure on myself on 16 again. I felt like every hole was just a tough battle, so I'm happy to be here now."

Nicolai Hojgaard gave the European captain a timely reminder of his talents as he closed with a second-straight 67 to finish just a shot behind champion Alex Noren, and Rasmus admitted it would be a "dream scenario" if both twins feature in New York.

"A hundred per cent," he added "It's probably the biggest goal we have together. I think if it would happen this year, it would be amazing. But I'm sure we'll both fight to be able to do it another time if it didn't happen."

Lowry must now bank on getting a captain's pick from Donald when he finalises his European team on Monday 1 September.