Continental Europe and Great Britain & Ireland set for Team Cup Showdown

Francesco Molinari will lead his side’s defence of the Team Cup when his Continental European side take on Great Britain & Ireland this week at Abu Dhabi Golf Resort.

The Italian, who famously became his nation’s first Major Champion when he triumphed at The Open in 2019, captained his team to a 14½ – 10½ victory over GB&I, contributing three and a half points to the cause.

He takes on fellow Major Champion and Ryder Cup teammate Justin Rose, who assumes the role of GB&I Captain, in the event which serves as an important part of Europe’s Ryder Cup preparations ahead of this year’s contest at Bethpage in New York.

The two ten-man teams comprise of four Ryder Cup players in Molinari, Rose, Tommy Fleetwood and Tyrrell Hatton, and a combined 69 DP World Tour titles competing across three days of match play. Friday will feature one fourballs session, with two foursomes session on Saturday and the final singles session on Sunday, with each player competing in every session.

Rose will play in the first match of the first session alongside five-time DP World Tour winner Matt Wallace against the French pair of Romain Langasque, who won the Amateur Championship in 2015, and Matthieu Pavon, who became the first Frenchman in more than 100 years to win on the PGA TOUR last season.

Five time DP World Tour winner Rasmus Højgaard, who missed the 2023 edition of this event due to injury, will partner last year’s Challenge Tour Road to Mallorca Rankings winner Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen against the English pair of Laurie Canter and Jordan Smith. Smith, who has won twice on the DP World Tour, is also a former Challenge Tour Rankings winner, while Canter claimed his maiden title last season at the European Open.

Julien Guerrier, who has been drafted in as a replacement for Nicolai Højgaard, who has been forced to withdraw from the Team Cup due to illness, will tee it up alongside his French compatriot Antoine Rozner. Guerrier won his maiden DP World Tour title at last year’s Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters, while Rozner is a three-time DP World Tour winner.

They are pitted against three-time Ryder Cup player Tyrrell Hatton and Northern Irishman Tom McKibbin, who won the Porsche European Open in 2023.

The Danish pair of eight-time DP World Tour winner and 2018 Ryder Cup player Thorbjørn Olesen and last year’s Betfred British Masters champion Niklas Nørgaard, will take on Matthew Jordan and Paul Waring. Waring claimed a second DP World Tour victory at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship last season, while Jordan is competing in his first professional match play event, having represented GB&I at the Walker Cup in 2017.

Molinari will tee off in the anchor match alongside compatriot Matteo Manassero against Tommy Fleetwood and Aaron Rai. Molinari and Fleetwood famously won four matches from four together at the 2018 Ryder Cup, earning the nickname ‘Moliwood’ as they contributed to Europe’s victory at Le Golf National. Manassero ended a near 11-year wait between titles as he returned to the winner’s circle at the Jonsson Workwear Open last year, while Rai claimed a maiden PGA TOUR title at the Wyndham Championship.

Team Cup Fourball Schedule

Player Quotes

Francesco Molinari: “I think that the experience from two years ago is going to come in handy. I think a lot of the stuff that we did worked. I think obviously we were lucky to get the support from my brother and the other past Ryder Cup captains. It wasn’t like I had to create anything new.

“Compared to two years ago, it’s a little bit different because we only have three nationalities, really, in our team. So on one hand, it should be easier, probably, to get some of the guys to gel but at the same time, you don’t want to have three groups of people not gelling with each other. It’s interesting. The team dynamics always fascinated me. I’m a huge football field, so always dreamt of being a football player and a football manager. This is probably as close as it gets to being a football manager. 

“I’m sure Justin is going to do a really good job. He’s a meticulous player and I’m sure he’s going to have the same approach when it comes down to his captaincy.”

Justin Rose: “It’s a honour, first and foremost. I think it’s been something that’s sort of been on my mind. Because obviously sometimes you play as a player, you’re obviously preparing all the time for tournaments that come up. 

“But when you have something like this looming large, you start thinking about it months in advance. What do I want to say? Are there any good ideas I have? What have I learned from previous captains? I feel like it’s been a very big responsibility in my head for a number of months now and I think it’s going well. 

“I think obviously once you get here on site, you see the players and you start to get more comfortable with the whole thing. But very different. Out of my comfort zone for sure but that’s always good to challenge yourself.”

Alongside general play, there will be a host of activities across all three days of the event for fans to enjoy. The entertainment kicks off on Friday (January 10) with the hugely popular Irish singer Rory McGettigan. On Saturday (January 11), Shades of Jade will take the stage, delivering a dynamic blend of jazz, pop, funk, and party classics. The final day (January 12) will feature singer-guitarist The Dazzler, who will close out the event with his signature singalongs, following the crowning of the champion on the 18th green.

There will be a special Ryder Cup Trophy activation in the Village, where fans can take photos with one of the most famous trophies in sport. Trick shot shows, a kids’ zone, and ‘Get into Golf’ sessions will also be available each day.

Parking is available onsite for fans. For those attending the Coldplay concerts in Zayed Sport City Stadium and are looking to make the most of their afternoon, the park and ride at ‘Sas Al Nakhl’ is located right beside Abu Dhabi Golf Resort. 

Friday 10th January 2025:

• 09:00: Gates Open (Free caps and flags to the first 100 ticket holders on the 1st tee!*)
• 10:00: Hospitality Opens
• 10:00 – 18:00: Get into Golf (Driving Range)
• 11:05 – 12:05: Fourballs (1st Tee)
• 12:30 – 16:30: Ryder Cup Trophy Activation (Spectator Village)
• 13:00: Trick shot Show (Driving Range)
• 14:00: Trick shot show (Driving Range)
• 16:30: Live Music from Rory McGettigan (Public Terrace)
• 20:00: Bar Closes
• 20:30: Spectator Village and Venue Closes

Saturday 11th January 2025:

• 07:00: Gates Open (Free caps and flags to the first 100 ticket holders on the 1st tee!*)
• 07:35 – 08:15: Morning Foursomes (1st Tee)
• 10:00: Hospitality Opens
• 09:00 – 18:00: Get into Golf (Driving Range)
• 08:30 – 12:00: Ryder Cup Trophy Activation (Spectator Village)
• 10:00: Trick shot Show (Driving Range)
• 12:20 – 13:00: Afternoon Foursomes (1st Tee)
• 14:30: Trick shot Show (Driving Range)
• 16:30: Live Music from Shades of Jade (Public Terrace)
• 20:00: Bar Closes
• 20:30: Spectator Village and Venue Closes

Sunday 12th January 2025:

• 09:00: Gates Open (Free caps and flags to the first 100 ticket holders on the 1st tee!*)
• 10:00 – 18:00: Get into Golf (Driving Range)
• 10:00: Hospitality Opens
• 10:35 – 12:05: Sunday Singles (1st Tee)
• 12:30 – 15:30: Ryder Cup Trophy Activation (Spectator Village)
• 13:00: Trick shot Show (Driving Range)
• 16:00: Championship Prize Giving (9th Green)
• 16:30: Live Music from The Dazzler (Public Terrace)
• 20:00: Bar Closes
• 20:30: Spectator Village and Venue Closes

*Terms & Conditions Apply, subject to availability.

Other activities to enjoy in the Spectator Village:

• Big screens to watch all the action unfold
• Kids Zone: Including bouncy castles, crazy golf, arts & crafts, balloon artist, face painting and bubble artist.
• Future Falcons zone including chipping challenge and golf lessons
• DJ Damien every day from 1.30pm – 4.30pm on Clubhouse terrace

Last Updated on 10 hours by News Desk 1