Abu Dhabi Golf Club will once again host the stars of European golf for a Ryder Cup warm up tournament when the Team Cup, formerly Hero Cup and Seve Trophy, takes place on the National Course from January 10-12, 2025.
Major Champions Francesco Molinari and Justin Rose have been named as next year’s Playing Captains, with Ryder Cup Captain Luke Donald also presiding over proceedings in the capital as he did in 2023.
Molinari captained Continental Europe to victory two years ago 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.
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.
As of now, the four leading GB&I players on the Rankings are Rory McIlroy, Robert MacIntyre, Dubai resident Tommy Fleetwood, who led the way for GB&I last year, and Tom McKibbin.
For Continental Europe, Jesper Svensson, Sebastian Soderberg, Ludvig Aberg and Romain Langasque are the leading four players.
The Rankings are set to chop and change a lot before the season comes to an end at the DP World Tour Championship and there is no guarantee the leading four players for each side will be available to compete in the event.
But if last year’s edition is anything to go by, fans will once again be treated to a spectacle from some of the game’s elite stars. Continental Europe defeated the GB&I team 14½ -10½, with stellar names such as Tyrrell Hatton, Shane Lowry, Sepp Straka and DP World Tour Championship winner Nicolai Højgaard all competing.
The tournament also did wonders for preparing the likes of Straka and Højgaard for their maiden outing at the Ryder Cup, with the duo contributing towards a European victory over the USA in Rome last September.
“I’m really pleased that the Team Cup is returning as it provided some invaluable experience for a lot of players last year,” said Donald, who will lead Europe for the second time at the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black next year said:
“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.”
Continental Europe Captain Molinari added: “I’m delighted to have the opportunity to captain Continental Europe again and to try and successfully defend the Team Cup. It was a really 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.”
Team GB&I Captain Rose 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, with the team crossing the 12½ point mark winning 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.
Fans are now able to register for free General Admission tickets for the event, with Premium Experience options also available online. There will be a host of activities for all the family in the Championship Village, with food outlets, picnic areas and live entertainment.
