Francesco Molinari edged into an automatic qualifying slot for the Ryder Cup with a second- place finish at the Alstom French open yesterday.
The Italian's late birdie blitz in a closing round of 67 gave him an eight-under par total of 276.
But his charge wasn't enough to catch winner, pony-tailed German Marcel Siem, whose victory by a stroke earned him a top 100 place.
Justin Rose came joint ninth and Graeme McDowell was in a tie for 17th, while world No.3 Lee Westwood climbed 18 places to 40th with a closing 70.