ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates – Great Britain and Ireland defeated their continental counterparts 17-8 in the Team Cup, an event that provides European players with valuable match play experience ahead of this year’s Ryder Cup in New York.
Tommy Fleetwood sealed an expected win for Britain and Ireland, who lead 11-4 heading into Sunday’s singles after a dominant two days at the Abu Dhabi Golf Resort Contest.
Britain and Ireland needed just two more points in the singles, with Fleetwood beating Mathieu Pavon 3-1 after Lauri Kanter defeated Roman Langesque 5-4. Littlewood also scored the winner for Team Europe as they defeated the United States to reclaim the Ryder Series title outside Rome.
“It’s a little different this time, but it feels great,” Fleetwood said. “What an incredible group of lads we’ve got again this week and an unbelievable captain, so it’s great to be part of that.”
Justin Rose, who captains the Great Britain and Ireland team, said his message before the game was to “keep going, keep going and play one wave after another”.
His side won five of their first six games, with Tyrrell Hatton beating Thorbjorn Olesen 3-1 and Rose 3-1. 2 defeated Julien Guerrier and Paul Waring defeated Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen 4-3.
“I love the challenge and the experience,” Rose said, “and the guys make me look really good at it.”
The continental team won the title two years ago when the tournament was known as the Hero Cup, with Niklas Norgaard, Antoine Rozner and Matteo Manassero finishing the tournament victorious. The last two games – between Francisco Molinari and Jordan Smith and Rasmus Hoggard and Aaron Wray – ended in draws.
The tournament, formerly known as the Seve Cup, was held eight times from 2000 to 2013, with Great Britain and Ireland winning six times and Continental Europe winning twice.
Six of the 20 players and captains from the 2023 edition ended up playing in that year’s Ryder Cup, when Team Europe won the title and regained the Ryder Cup.
This year’s Ryder Cup will be held at Bethpage Black in September.
