En the BMW PGA Championship, third event of the Rolex Series of the season in the European Tour, two tournaments are being lived in one. On the one hand, the one who leads the Thai Kiradech Aphibarnrat (-12), with a stroke of advantage over Laurie Canter (-11) and Francesco Laporta (-11). On the other, the one starring the players who still have mathematical options to qualify for the points for the European team of the Ryder Cup.
In this exciting ‘battle’ to be in two weeks in Whistling Straits a first screening has already taken place. Seven of the 15 players still without a place who reached Virginia Water with chances they have missed the cut and fall out of the fight. Is about Ian Poulter, Matt Wallace, Callum Hill, Rasmus Hojgaard, Guido Migliozzi y Robert MacIntyre, who did not reach the two under par needed to continue playing the weekend, and Thomas Detry, disqualified for signing the card with a mistake.
The only options of all of them to be part of the team are already being one of the three chosen by the captain, Padraig Harrington. And of this group, the only one who would enter their plans without it being a big surprise is Poulter, a top-level competitor in this type of tournament who today hurried until the 18th in search of the eagle, sent his ball into the water, and finished off his participation with a birdie from more than 40 meters.
Those who did achieve their first goal of making the cut and still have mathematical options to get a seat are Bernd Wiesberger, Victor Perez, Richard Bland, Danny Willett, Matthias Schwab, Justin Rose, Alex Noren y Henrik Stenson. Although in most cases they will need a great result this Sunday to add the necessary points and unseat players like Tyrrell Hatton, Mathew Fitzpatrick, Lee Westwood y Shane Lowry.
Wiesberger and a chain reaction
Wiesberger (-6), tied for 19th place, is the easiest to have it. Even finishing in the 50th position alone, he will have chances through the European list. With his current rankings he would overtake Rory McIlroy, joining the Jon Rahm, Tommy Fleetwood y Tyrrell Hatton on the European list, and complicate things for players like Lee Westwood (-4) O Shane Lowry (-8) on the world list, to which Rory would fall.
The captain, Padraig HarringtonLook carefully at all these movements that will necessarily influence your three personal choices. You may find yourself with the ballot having to choose three from Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood, Justin Rose y Sergio Garca, four players who will be in all pools to play any Ryder Cup.
Jimnez, the best of the Spanish
As for the Spanish, Miguel ngel Jimnez (-7), remains as the best classified, in the 14th place tied, after throwing 69 shots, one more than in his great start to the tournament yesterday. Pablo Larrazbal (-6), Nacho Elvira (-4), Rafa Cabrera Bello (-4) and Adrin Otaegui (-3) They have also managed to make the cut and will continue playing the weekend.
Out of the tournament are Adri Arnaus (-1), lvaro Quirs (+1) and Jorge Campillo (+1).
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