This Friday marks the start of the Team Cup at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club. The test for the Ryder Cup begins with a session of five fourball matches. Great Britain and Ireland compete against Continental Europe. Everyone wants to win, but the main goal is to impress Luke Donald and his assistants with an eye on the big event at Bethpage next September.
Francesco Molinari and Justin Rose, captains of the respective teams, overseen by Luke Donald, offered the pairings this Thursday, and they are quite intriguing, especially on the British side, where there is more to explore.
Pavon-Langasque Vs. Rose-Wallace
R.Hojgaard-Neergaard Petersen Vs. Canter-Smith
Guerrier-Rozner Vs. Hatton-McKibbin
Olesen-Nordgaard Vs. Jordan-Waring
Manassero-Molinari Vs. Fleetwood-Rai
At first glance, the pairs captained by Justin Rose seem more interesting. Matt Wallace and Aaron Rai have been given special attention, playing with Ryder heavyweights like Rose and Fleetwood. Indeed, either of these could be a pair at Bethpage, although we know it’s very challenging to qualify for such a prestigious event. Certainly, it’s a more special test than others.
The pairing with a twist is undoubtedly Hatton and McKibbin. Remember, as Ten Golf reported, McKibbin is set to sign with the Legion XIII team of LIV Golf, where Hatton is. It’s a way to start bonding. It’s not like they’re playing coy.
On the Continental Europe side, the reality is that the pairs are not very imaginative. They have been grouped by nationalities. One might even say that Nicolai Hojgaard’s absence has helped align the Danes, French, and Italians. We’ll see how Francesco’s strategy plays out. The two most interesting pairs on this side are the two Rasmus, Hojgaard and Neergaard Petersen, to see how they combine, and Olesen and Nordgaard, a duo that, if they combine well, can outplay anyone on the field.
The matches start at 8:05 local time in Abu Dhabi, three hours earlier than in mainland Spain. The last match tees off at 6:05, so they are expected to finish around eleven in the morning in Spain.
