Rory McIlroy believes Ryder Cup hopeful has every chance to make Luke Donald's team

Rory McIlroy believes England's Harry Hall has got every chance to make his first appearance on the European Ryder Cup team next month.

McIlroy's comments fall on the same day that Hall surpisingly declared he has had "no conversations recently" with Ryder Cup skipper Luke Donald. 

That's despite Hall, 28, being statistically the fifth best European player over the past three months on the PGA Tour. 

The Englishman has not won on the PGA Tour this season but he has chalked up an impressive 11 straight top-35 finishes on the circuit. 

Hall is a one-time winner on the PGA Tour having won the 2024 ISCO Championship.

McIlroy was asked by a reporter what he made of a flurry of European players performing well at this week's BMW Championship. 

Scotland's Robert MacIntyre has played the greatest 36 holes of his life so far to surge into a five-shot lead over World No.1 Scottie Scheffler at Caves Valley GC in Maryland.

Sweden's Ludvig Aberg is also in contention in solo third heading into the weekend.

England's Tommy Fleetwood remains in good form too in a tie for fifth, with Hall and Viktor Hovland in a tie for eighth. 

Fleetwood is already assured of his place on the European Ryder Cup team, and MacIntyre, Aberg and Hovland will also be there. 

McIlroy thinks Hall, who currently looks on from the 19th rung of the European Ryder Cup team rankings, has every chance to make it too. 

"Yeah, it's good," said McIlroy when looking at the sea of blue and yellow on the top 10 at the BMW Championship. 

"It's good to see Bob, Ludvig, Viktor, Tommy, even Harry Hall that's maybe got a chance to play in the team.

"Yeah, it bodes well for a few weeks' time."

The 2025 Ryder Cup takes place at Bethpage in New York from 26-28 September. 

When pressed further on his relationship with Hall, the World No.2 admits he's a big fan. 

"Yeah, I played with Harry in his first start as a pro at the Dunhill Links a few years ago.

"I know him a little bit. Really nice player, great rhythm to his golf swing, and he's sort of done it a different way. 

"He went over to UNLV and did it that way, but he's become a very consistent player, so we'll see what happens."

As for McIlroy's own game this week, he considers there is room for improvement.

McIlroy, who is making his first start on the PGA Tour since finishing in the top 10 at his home Open Championship at Royal Portrush last month, carded an improved 66 on Friday to progress to 4-under par in solo 11th. 

"I scored better, but still not great," said McIlroy, who finds himself 10 shots behind MacIntyre heading into the weekend. 

"Yeah, look, it's okay, I played a good back nine and I scored well. Made a few saves. But I still want to try to hit a few more fairways. Still struggling to get the ball in play. But when I do get the ball in play, I give myself plenty of chances and make some birdies.

"That's a positive. I just need to try to get the ball in play a little bit more, and I did that for a little bit more on the back nine, and that was why, obviously, I scored better."

McIlroy tees off alongside Russell Henley at 12.50pm local time in the third round of the BMW Championship.