– Great Britain and Ireland have clearly defeated Continental Europe in the first day of fourballs of the Team Cup, a trial event that serves to take notes and reach some conclusions with the Ryder Cup in mind, taking place until Sunday at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club. Justin Rose‘s team has won 3.5 to 1.5 against Francesco Molinari‘s team. Nothing definitive, but an advantage nonetheless.
– And it wasn’t due to the British captain’s performance on the field. Rose, in fact, lost his team’s only point playing with an off-form Matt Wallace. They were defeated 3 and 1 by Matthieu Pavon and Romain Langasque, a solid pair that needs to be finished off if you want to overcome them. A good duo. Wallace, one of the big favourites of this Team Cup to be at the Ryder in Bethpage, was let down by his eagerness. And it’s not the first time. He must learn to manage this issue and find the balance between desire and anxiety. His chances of defending Europe in New York will depend on it.
– Luke Donald has been able to take some very interesting notes in his notebook. Pavon, for example, is a more than reliable player in match play. Rasmus Hojgaard has shone at a very high level, starting like a shot, with three birdies in four holes. Jordan Smith is eager to finally stop being the eternal hopeful. Tyrrell Hatton is a safe bet you can trust with your life. Antoine Rozner struggles in this competition. He won the first point with Thomas Detry in the 2023 edition and has since suffered four defeats. Today he didn’t make any birdies. He was the only one. Matthew Jordan has handled himself with confidence. Thorbjorn Olesen is another of those reliable players. He may be better or worse, but he always contributes. And Fleetwood, yes Fleetwood, is the one who has shown everyone the path to follow to reach the Ryder Cup. The Englishman crushed his Ryder partner, Francesco Molinari, with eight birdies in 16 holes.
– The first point went to Continental Europe, but from there the islanders prevailed, especially with better management of the back nine. Jordan Smith, along with Laurie Canter, delivered the final blow to Rasmus Hojgaard and Rasmus Neergaard Petersen with three consecutive birdies on holes 11, 12, and 13. The most inexperienced of the four, Neergaard Petersen, was somewhat constrained by the pressure. The Englishmen won 1 up.
– Tyrrell Hatton was a relentless force, with Tom McKibbin supporting him without too much fanfare to clearly win 3 and 2 against Antoine Rozner and Julien Guerrier. Much credit to Guerrier, who arrived urgently in Abu Dhabi after Nicolai Hojgaard’s last-minute withdrawal. He held the team together with four birdies.
– Fleetwood and Rai won 4 and 2 against Francesco Molinari and Matteo Manassero. Not much can be reproached to the Italians. Manassero was notable, better than his captain, but Fleetwood was on another level today. Rai enjoyed the show from the front row.
– Matthew Jordan and Paul Waring secured half a point against Olesen and Nordgaard. It was a very evenly matched duel, sustained between Jordan and Olesen. A great final chip from the Englishman secured the half point on the 18th hole.
– This Saturday, a total of ten points are contested in two sessions of five foursomes. Obviously, it’s going to be very important, and we’ll see if it’s even decisive considering Sunday’s singles, where another ten points will be played. The goal is to reach thirteen points to win.
