Ryder Cup 2016: Rickie Fowler blows chance to clinch last-gasp spot on USA team as Thomas Pieter stakes claim for European place
American let lead slip in final round at Barclays to hand victory to Patrick Reed and leave Hazeltime dream hanging by thread
RICKIE FOWLER blew his chance to clinch a last-gasp Ryder Cup spot as he fell apart at the end of the Barclays tournament in New York.
The American, who took a one shot lead into yesterday’s final round, needed to finish in the top three to push 2015 Open champion Zach Johnson out of the eight automatic places for the US team to take on Europe.
But after making just one bogey in the first 64 holes, the world No 8 dropped four shots in his next six and plunged down the leaderboard.
A battling birdie at the 17th briefly re-ignited Fowler’s hopes.
But he gave that shot back on the final hole and finished in a share of seventh place after a disappointing 74.
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The flamboyant 27-year-old will now have to hope for one of Davis Love’s four wildcards for the showdown at Hazeltine in Minnesota, which starts on September 30.
Love will announce his first three picks in two weeks and will name the 12th man a week before the Ryder Cup tees off.
The big mover on the final day of qualifying was Barclays winner Patrick Reed — one of the most impressive US performers when they stumbled to a sixth defeat in the last seven Ryder Cups at Gleneagles two years ago.
His one-shot victory over Sean O’Hair and Emiliano Grillo propelled him from eighth place on the US list to fourth.
He will be a key man for the Yanks at the end of next month.
Phil Mickelson will be making his 11th consecutive appearance in the event and Love said: “He will be very valuable.”
THOMAS PIETERS gave Darren Clarke a headache by winning the Made in Denmark tournament.
Europe’s Ryder Cup captain names his three wildcards tomorrow.
The Belgian, 24, shot a final round 65 to boost his hopes of a pick.