– How paradoxical and whimsical sport can be. Continental Europe is currently enduring the biggest thrashing in history in the Team Cup (and Seve Trophy), and yet the rookie most likely to make it to the Ryder Cup at Bethpage is the Frenchman Matthieu Pavon, the only bastion alongside Romain Langasque from Francesco Molinari‘s ranks. He is leaving an impression similar to that of Nicolai Hojgaard two years ago… And we already know what happened with Nicolai when the Ryder came to Italy.
– The numbers leave no room for doubt. Never in the history of the Seve Trophy and its successors, Hero Cup and Team Cup, has one of the teams arrived at the final day with so few points. This is the tenth edition. Great Britain and Ireland dominate the competition with a commanding 11 to 4, after once again prevailing in the afternoon foursomes session by 4-1. Unassailable. In terms of point difference between the two squads, seven in total, it matches the highest record ever, which occurred in 2009, when the islanders led by 12.5 to 5.5 with one day to go (in the Seve Trophy those years, 28 points were played in total compared to the 25 in the Team Cup).
– The Team Cup is decided. It only remains to be seen if it will be the biggest thrashing ever and when the duel will be decided. Justin Rose‘s team only needs to add two points out of the ten at stake to secure victory. It’s a matter of time. Hopefully, it will be prolonged as much as possible to add a bit more excitement; otherwise, we will witness a handful of matches where there will be nothing at stake beyond winning some points for captain Donald with an eye on the Ryder.
– The reading of what is happening at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club is quite simple. The nine Englishmen and the Northern Irishman are playing better than the Danes, French, and Italians. They are hitting better shots to the green, putting much better, and above all, playing the decisive moments of the duels with more determination. Match play, when analysed closely, is often decided by small details, true, but if the small details always fall on the same side, as is happening this week, it means they are doing something better in the blue and pink camp.
– The standout names of the three pair sessions are Tommy Fleetwood and Tyrrell Hatton, demonstrating here in the United Arab Emirates something more than their commitment to the Ryder Cup. If any players don’t need to impress anyone, it’s these two, but they are resolving their matches with great assurance. They are the best and they show it. They are not here for a stroll or just to fulfil obligations. Luke Donald must be happy and proud of it.
– As for the potential rookies, beyond Pavon, the most notable of all, Tom McKibbin deserves a mention. The 22-year-old, a recent signing for LIV Golf awaiting announcement, has hit two supreme shots in the final phase of his duel with Matthew Jordan against Olesen and Nordgaard. They won with three birdies in the last three holes to turn around a match in which they were one down. Again, the Danes failed in the art of finishing. They didn’t know how to kill the match, with special mention to Nordgaard, who seemed pressured when the final shots came.
– We also highlight Matt Jordan‘s putt. A marvel. A lifeline in match play. It’s no small thing. He said before the Team Cup that nothing pleases him more than match play. It shows. He lives it, celebrates it, pumps his fists. These are points he adds. He hasn’t lost so far this week, just like Paul Waring, the dark horse of the week with two wins and a draw. Quietly, he has won two matches on the 14th and 15th. Be careful. Additionally, Matt Wallace has shown that he can form a very good partnership with Hatton. They have won both points, and they weren’t easy or given matches.
– On the Continental side, more disappointments than anything else. Langasque‘s heart perfectly aligns with Pavon’s great shots, but beyond that, there are more shadows than lights. Manassero had a bad day today, Rozner is missing in action, Molinari can’t seem to get out of his grey zone, and the Danes, who at times have played well, lacked the killer instinct and some game, for example, Rasmus Hojgaard this afternoon. We could save Julien Guerrier, who hasn’t been bad, although he missed the short putt that ended his match against Smith and Fleetwood and set the provisional 11 to 4.
