Europe shaping up nicely for Paris

wITH four players in the top five, culminating in Brooks Koepka’s successful US open defence, America’s recent domination of the majors continued last week. But the fact that five British players finished in the top 12 is certainly not something to be sniffed at. Expect a rightly chuffed Tyrrell Hatton to embark on a successful summer after finishing tied sixth, while Russell Knox’s 12th spot alongside Matt Fitzpatrick was the first such high placing by a Scot in a major for nearly five years. As for Fitzpatrick, the 23-year-old has now clambered back into the top eight who will automatically qualify for Europe’s Ryder Cup team, as we head into the busy last two months. Five other Englishmen look certainties: Tommy Fleetwood, Hatton, Justin Rose, Ian Poulter and Paul Casey.