ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates — Britain and Ireland finished with a 17-8 victory over Continental Europe in the Team Cup, an event that gave European players valuable playing experience ahead of this year’s Ryder Cup in New York.
Tommy Fleetwood scored a point to seal a much-anticipated victory for Britain and Ireland, leading 11-4 on Sunday’s singles after a successful first two days at Abu Dhabi Golf Resort.
Britain and Ireland needed just two points in the singles, and after Laurie Canter beat Romain Langasque 5 and 4, Fleetwood defeated Matthieu Pavon 3 and 1. Fleetwood also claimed a point to win Europe when they beat the United States outside Rome to regain Ryder. Cup in 2023.
“There are slightly different circumstances this time, but it feels good,” Fleetwood said. “What an unbelievable group of lads we had again this week and an unbelievable captain, so it was great to be a part of.”
Justin Rose was the captain of Great Britain and Ireland, and he said his message before playing was to go out on the front foot, try not to get tired, play wave after wave.
His team won five of the first six games, with Tyrrell Hatton beating Thorbjorn Olesen 3 and 1, Rose beating Julien Guerrier 3 and 2, and Paul Waring beating Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen 4 and 3.
“I liked the challenge and the experience,” Rose said, “and the boys made me look really good at it.”
Continental Europe, who won two years ago when the event was called the Hero Cup, finished strong with wins from Niklas Norgaard, Antoine Rozner and Matteo Manassero. The last two matches — between Francesco Molinari and Jordan Smith and Rasmus Hojgaard and Aaron Rai — ended in draws.
The event was formerly known as The Seve Trophy and was played eight times from 2000 to 2013, with Britain & Ireland winning six times and Continental Europe winning twice.
Six of the 20 players and captains of the 2023 squad played in the Ryder Cup that year, with Europe winning to reclaim the trophy.
This year’s Ryder Cup is at Bethpage Black in September.
“Playing the game is unique. We don’t do enough of it,” Rose said. “You can’t just turn on that faucet as soon as you need it, so getting those opportunities to play is important. There are lessons from playing that you have to keep remembering.
“You can’t simulate the intensity of the Ryder Cup, with the crowd and the energy, but at the end of the day when you put the crest here,” he said, beating his chest, “and you have 10 teammates behind you, you want to win.”
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