Donald will make six selections on 1 September to add to his six qualifiers.
Sweden’s Ludvig Aberg and Norway’s Viktor Hovland, who are ninth and 10th in the standings, are not playing in this final qualifying event but look almost certain to be picked, while Spain’s Jon Rahm, who won the LIV Golf individual title, is also likely to be included.
That would leave three spots. One would look set to be taken by either Rasmus Hojgaard or Shane Lowry.
Rasmus Hojgaard, who blew a four-shot lead in last week’s final round at the Danish Golf Championship, remains on course to claim the last automatic spot.
Ireland’s Lowry occupies the all-important sixth place in the standings for now, but he is playing at the PGA Tour’s season-ending Tour Championship, a non-qualifying event, which means Hojgaard will take that guaranteed Ryder Cup spot should he finish joint 29th or better.
The Dane lies joint 14th after the third round, alongside six others on seven under.
Given Donald’s desire for Fitzpatrick to play at the British Masters, you’d suspect the a victory for the Englishman would cement his place via a pick.
And that would leave just one place left.
England’s Marco Penge, who rose six places to 14th in the Ryder Cup standings after taking advantage of Hojgaard’s slip to triumph in Denmark, continues to push his claim.
Penge equalled the Brabazon course record at the former Ryder Cup venue with a bogey-free 63 that featured nine birdies as he moved to joint third.
Back-to-back victories would certainly impress Donald.
England’s Matt Wallace, who is currently 11th in the European standings, shot a 70 to improve to nine under and will likely need to win on Sunday if he is to stand any chance of figuring in Donald’s plans.
Others in contention including English pair Aaron Rai and Harry Hall, who have both impressed on the PGA Tour this season, while Austria’s Sepp Straka looks to be in the strongest position given he is seventh in the standings.
Meanwhile, Noren’s 65 confirmed a return to form after he returned in May from seven months out with a hamstring tear.
The 43-year-old Swede won two of his three Ryder Cup matches – in the foursomes alongside Sergio Garcia – in France seven years ago, but played down his chances of being picked this time.
“I haven’t played enough of those tournaments with the big boys so I’m not really thinking about that,” he said.
