Justin Rose and Luke Donald react as Rory McIlroy becomes first Ryder Cup qualifier for Team Europe

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The US Open didn’t go Rory McIlroy’s way this year, but there was still good news waiting for him at the end: a spot on the Ryder Cup team.

McIlroy had come into Oakmont Country Club with high hopes, but he stumbled to a tie for 19th place at seven-over par.

READ MORE: What happened when a one-handicap amateur played Oakmont the day after the US Open

It was J.J. Spaun who took home the trophy, rolling in a birdie on the final hole to finish at one-under and claim his first major title.

Spaun’s win came at the expense of Robert MacIntyre, who settled for second place at one-over.

The final major of the season will be played at Royal Portrush, before the Ryder Cup heads to Bethpage Black in the autumn.

Justin Rose reacts after Rory McIlroy qualifies for Ryder Cup

Justin Rose didn’t make it to the weekend at Oakmont, but he still took a moment to congratulate McIlroy on securing his place at Bethpage Black.

McIlroy is the first European to officially qualify for this year’s team, and Rose posted on X: “Strong first player in team [Ryder Cup Europe]!”

McIlroy will make his eighth consecutive Ryder Cup appearance when the event tees off at Bethpage Black in late September.

Luke Donald has message for Rory McIlroy after Ryder Cup qualification

Rose wasn’t alone in welcoming McIlroy aboard. European captain Luke Donald also shared his thoughts, posting: “Welcome back to Team Europe Rory, a leader on and off the course and a key piece to our Team. Let’s go.”

Donald’s praise is well earned. McIlroy has long been a cornerstone of Europe’s Ryder Cup efforts and will no doubt play a major role again this year.

Even so, the Northern Irishman hasn’t quite looked himself since Augusta. He missed the cut at the PGA Championship in New York and struggled again at Oakmont. But with another Open on home soil coming up, McIlroy has a chance to find his form before heading to Bethpage Black.

He’ll be hoping to bounce back quickly, especially since the last time The Open was played at Portrush in 2019, he missed the cut after finishing two-over through two rounds. Even then, though, the local fans gave him plenty of support, and he’ll need all of it again as he gears up for another busy summer.