Luke Donald makes feelings very clear as LIV Golf star seals Ryder Cup spot

Luke Donald has warmly welcomed LIV Golf star Tyrrell Hatton into his European team after the Englishman managed the unlikely feat of automatically qualifying for the Ryder Cup.

Hatton, currently ranked 24th in the world, became the fifth player to secure his spot on the European team for next month's clash against Keegan Bradley's American side at Bethpage Black in New York.

He joins Ryder Cup stalwarts Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, and Tommy Fleetwood on the European squad, with Bob MacIntyre also securing his place following a second-place finish at the BMW Championship on Sunday. However, the Scotsman was left seething with his final-round performance, stating he wanted to "smash" his clubs after letting his lead slip to Scottie Scheffler.

Hatton's qualification is notably impressive. After switiching to LIV, he restricted his chances of Ryder Cup ranking points, which are not on offer in the breakaway circuit's tournaments.

Instead, he has had to capitalise when competing in the four major championships and his sporadic returns to DP World Tour events. He won the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship late last year which was vital in him sealing his spot in Team Europe, before triumphing at the Dubai Desert Classic title in January.

Hatton, 33, also performed well in the majors this season, making the weekend at all four tournaments and finishing tied fourth at the US Open in June.The Englishman will feature in his fourth Ryder Cup, and he is set to be a big part of Donald's plan after turning in a brilliant display in the win over Team USA at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Rome last time out.

Hatton clinched a brilliant 3.5 points from his four matches, forming a strong partnership with two-time major champion Jon Rahm, who Hatton would later follow to LIV.

Captain Donald is excited with how his squad is shaping up with less than 40 days to go until the event beginson September 26. After Hatton and MacIntyre's qualification, Donald wrote on social media: "Two great characters and golfers back on Team Europe. Team is shaping up nicely."

Hatton's accomplishment matched that of fellow LIV member Bryson DeChambeau, who earned his place on Bradley's team despite similarly restricted access to ranking points.

One of the six automatic qualification spots remains available on the European team, with the points deadline arriving at this week's Betfred British Masters.

Shane Lowry is the man currently holding the position, but he will earn no points for his involvement in the PGA Tour Championship at East Lake in Atlanta.

Denmark's Rasmus Hojgaard, however, will compete at The Belfry near Birmingham, England, and could overtake the Irishman with a strong showing at the 2002 Ryder Cup venue.

The American team's automatic qualifiers were confirmed at the conclusion of the BMW Championship on Sunday, with Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele, Harris English, and Russell Henley joining DeChambeau in the squad.

Bradley is set to announce the remaining six members of his team on August 27, with the recently crowned Travelers champion expected to select himself as the first playing captain since Arnold Palmer in 1963. Donald will reveal his six choices on September 1.