Rory McIlroy’s tie for 19th place at the just-completed U.S. Open was enough to land him an automatic spot on Europe’s Ryder Cup team for this year’s competition at Bethpage Black in Farmingdale, N.Y.

It’s not how it ended. He retained his card, had some top-10 finishes and then lost in a playoff against Rory McIlroy at the Players Championship in March. Then won the U.S. Open at Oakmont Freaking ...