2nd Team Cup Set to Kick Off in Partnership with Abu Dhabi Sports Council

Post by : Elena Malik

Photo : Abu Dhabi Media Office

The second edition of the Team Cup, a prominent event in the DP World Tour, is set to take place from January 10-12, 2025, at the National Course of the Abu Dhabi Golf Resort. This year's tournament will see Major champions Francesco Molinari and Justin Rose take on the roles of Playing Captains for their respective teams.

Francesco Molinari, who captained Continental Europe to victory in the inaugural Team Cup in 2023, will lead his team once again. In that debut year, the event, previously known as the Hero Cup, played a significant role in shaping Europe’s Ryder Cup triumph. Molinari’s team will face off against Justin Rose, who is stepping into the captaincy for Great Britain & Ireland for the first time. Rose, a former Ryder Cup teammate of Molinari, will bring his extensive experience to the role.

The three-day match play event will feature teams of ten DP World Tour Members led by Molinari and Rose. The format of the competition includes one session of fourballs on Friday, two sessions of foursomes on Saturday, and one session of singles on Sunday. Each match will be worth one point, and the first team to reach 12½ points will be declared the winner.

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Luke Donald, the Ryder Cup Captain for Team Europe, will oversee the proceedings in Abu Dhabi, as he did in the previous year. Donald's involvement is expected to provide valuable insight and preparation for Europe’s defense of the Ryder Cup, scheduled for September 2025 at Bethpage Black in New York.

The participating teams will include the top four available players from Continental Europe and Great Britain & Ireland based on the final 2024 Race to Dubai Rankings. The remaining five players on each team will be selected by the respective captains in consultation with Donald.

Donald expressed his enthusiasm for the return of the Team Cup, highlighting its value in offering players a unique team environment and understanding the Ryder Cup experience. He praised both Molinari and Rose, noting their leadership qualities and past performances.

Molinari, reflecting on his previous captaincy, expressed excitement about defending the Team Cup and praised Rose as a formidable competitor. Rose, on the other hand, looked forward to the challenge of competing against Molinari and shaping a strong team from the talented players of Great Britain and Ireland.

The competition will again follow the match play format used in 2023, with all players participating in each of the four sessions. Abu Dhabi Sports Council continues its support as an Official Partner, reaffirming its commitment to promoting golf in the region. The council is also backing the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, scheduled at Yas Links, Yas Island from November 4-7, 2024.

Fans can obtain Free General Admission tickets and access an enhanced Trophy Lounge experience for the Team Cup through the event’s official channels