ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates — Nice Britain & Eire accomplished a 17-8 win over Continental Europe within the Group Cup, an occasion that gave European gamers priceless match-play expertise forward of the Ryder Cup in New York this yr.
Tommy Fleetwood secured the purpose that clinched the anticipated victory for Nice Britain & Eire, which led 11-4 heading into Sunday’s singles after a dominant first two days at Abu Dhabi Golf Resort.
GB&I wanted simply two extra factors from the singles and after Laurie Canter beat Romain Langasque, 5 and 4, Fleetwood defeated Matthieu Pavon, 3 and 1. Fleetwood additionally claimed the profitable level for Europe when beating the US outdoors Rome to reclaim the Ryder Cup in 2023.
“Barely totally different circumstances this time, nevertheless it feels nice,” Fleetwood mentioned. “What an unbelievable group of lads we had once more this week and an unbelievable captain, so it was good to be part of it.”
Justin Rose was the GB&I captain and he mentioned his message earlier than play was “to exit on the entrance foot, attempt to be relentless, to play wave after wave.”
His group received 5 of the primary six matches, with Tyrrell Hatton beating Thorbjorn Olesen, 3 and 1; Rose beating Julien Guerrier, 3 and a pair of; and Paul Waring beating Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen, 4 and three.
“I’ve beloved the problem and the expertise,” Rose mentioned, “and the lads have made me look extremely good at it.”
Continental Europe, which received two years in the past when the occasion was referred to as the Hero Cup, completed strongly with wins for Niklas Norgaard, Antoine Rozner and Matteo Manassero. The final two matches — between Francesco Molinari and Jordan Smith, and Rasmus Hojgaard and Aaron Rai — completed as ties.
The occasion was previously referred to as The Seve Trophy and was performed eight occasions from 2000-13, with Britain & Eire profitable six occasions and Continental Europe profitable twice.
Six of the 20 gamers and captains from the 2023 version wound up enjoying the Ryder Cup that yr.
This yr’s Ryder Cup is at Bethpage Black in September.
“Match play is exclusive, we don’t do sufficient of it,” Rose mentioned. “You may’t simply flip that faucet on instantly if you want it, so having these alternatives to play that’s vital. There’s some classes in match play that you might want to proceed to recollect.
“You may’t simulate the depth of the Ryder Cup, with the gang and the power, however on the finish of the day as quickly as you place a crest right here,” he mentioned, slapping his chest, “and you’ve got 10 mates proper behind you, you need to win.”
