Great Britain & Ireland dominated the Team Cup in Abu Dhabi, crushing Continental Europe 17-8 in a preview of what could be coming at this year’s Ryder Cup.
Tommy Fleetwood, who clinched Europe’s Ryder Cup victory last year in Rome, delivered the winning point again. This time it wasn’t quite as dramatic – his team was already way ahead.
“Slightly different circumstances this time, but it feels great,” Fleetwood said with a smile. “What an unbelievable group of lads we had again this week.”
The British and Irish team was unstoppable from the start. They built up a massive 11-4 lead in the first two days at Abu Dhabi Golf Resort, leaving them needing just two points from Sunday’s singles matches to seal the deal.
Those points came quickly.
Laurie Canter kicked things off with a dominant 5 and 4 win over Romain Langasque. Then Fleetwood finished the job by beating Matthieu Pavon 3 and 1.
Team captain Justin Rose had a simple message for his players before the final day: “Go out on the front foot, try to be relentless, to play wave after wave.”
They listened. His squad won five of the first six matches on Sunday.
“I have loved the challenge and the experience,” Rose said. “And the lads have made me look incredibly good at it.”
The competition, which used to be called The Seve Trophy, has been a pretty good indicator of Ryder Cup talent. Six players from last year’s event ended up making it to Rome for the big show.
Continental Europe did manage to save some pride with late wins from Niklas Norgaard, Antoine Rozner, and Matteo Manassero. The final two matches ended in ties.
But the real test comes this September at Bethpage Black in New York, where Europe will try to retain the Ryder Cup on American soil.
Rose knows these practice matches matter. “Match play is unique, we don’t do enough of it,” he said. “You can’t just turn that tap on immediately when you need it.”
He tapped his chest for emphasis: “You can’t simulate the intensity of the Ryder Cup, with the crowd and the energy, but as soon as you put a crest here and you have 10 mates right behind you, you want to win.”
