Today's Edition
ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)
Major Champions Francesco Molinari and Justin Rose have been named as the Playing Captains for the second edition of the Team Cup, taking place on the National Course at Abu Dhabi Golf Resort from January 10-12, 2025 as part of the DP World Tour.
Molinari captained Continental Europe to victory in 2023, when the Team Cup, formerly known as the Hero Cup, was first played, and will go head-to-head with his Ryder Cup teammate Rose, who assumes the Great Britain & Ireland captaincy for the first time.
The pair will lead respective teams of ten DP World Tour Members in the three-day match play contest, which is widely viewed as an opportunity for rising stars to prove themselves in the unique Ryder Cup format. In 2023, the competition was recognised as one of the key contributing factors to Europe’s Ryder Cup victory.
Ryder Cup Captain Luke Donald will preside over proceedings in the UAE as he did in 2023, looking to refine his Team Europe side who will aim to defend the Ryder Cup, ahead of the highly anticipated 41st edition in late September 2025 at Bethpage Black in New York.
In addition to Molinari and Rose, the teams will comprise the leading four available Continental European and GB&I members from the final 2024 Race to Dubai Rankings, with the five remaining players on each side being selected by the respective Captains in consultation with Donald.
Luke Donald, Ryder Cup Captain, Team Europe, said: “I’m really pleased that the Team Cup is returning as it provided some invaluable experience for a lot of players last year. I think all of us got a lot out of the week in terms of experiencing the uniqueness of a team environment. It also helped everyone involved to understand, through the Past Ryder Cup Captains who came and spoke to the players during the event, just what it means to represent Europe in the Ryder Cup.
“I am delighted that Francesco and Justin will assume the role of Captains. We saw what Francesco was capable of when he led Continental Europe to a great victory in 2023 and Justin was inspirational both inside and outside the ropes at Marco Simone last year. I’m excited to see them go head-to-head.”
Francesco Molinari, Team Cup Playing Captain, Team Continental Europe, said: “I’m delighted to have the opportunity to captain Continental Europe again and to try and successfully defend the Team Cup. It was a special week in 2023 and was great to see players from so many different countries across the Continent working towards one single goal. I have immense respect for Justin, he is a great competitor and going up against him and his team is a challenge I’m really relishing.”
Justin Rose, Team Cup Playing Captain, Team Great Britain & Ireland, said: “It’ll be strange going up against Fran in a match play competition rather than him being on the same side, but it’s something I am really looking forward to, even though I know it will be tough given Fran’s history not just in this contest but in the Ryder Cup too. But there is so much exciting talent from Great Britain and Ireland on the DP World Tour right now – it will be great to have the chance to try and mould them into a winning team.”
As in 2023, the teams will compete in match play across one session of fourballs on the Friday, two sessions of foursomes on the Saturday and one session of singles on the Sunday, with every player taking part in all four of the sessions. Each match will be worth one point, and the team that crosses the 12½ point mark will win the Team Cup.
Abu Dhabi Sports Council are returning as an Official Partner of the event, reaffirming their commitment to golf in the region in addition to their support of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, taking place at Yas Links, Yas Island from November 4-7, 2024.
