Team Intercontinental Europe – Winners Hero Cup
In the year of the Ryder Cup, the Hero Cup provided a similar format match up for teams from Continental Europe and GB&I which saw all the big European stars in attendance. The idea was to give the European Ryder Cup Team hopefuls a chance to prove their mettle and gain some experience in the rare matchplay and teams format.
Francesco Molinari, the 2018 Open Championship winner, led from the front as his team Continental Europe won the inaugural Hero Cup over Great Britain & Ireland (GB&I) by a score of 14.5 points to 10.5 points.
The Continental team led throughout the three days and despite GB&I threatening a comeback in the Singles on Sunday, Molinari’s men came home strong to claim the win.
-4 after 5 holes and 3UP.
Captain @F_Molinari is leading from the front.#HeroCup pic.twitter.com/BalXDJNCPd
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) January 15, 2023
The tournament was a Ryder Cup style event played at Abu Dhabi Golf Club as preparation for the actual competition scheduled for Sep. 29-Oct. 1, 2023 at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Guidonia Montecelio near Rome.
3 days of top-class exciting golf culminated today with Team Continental Europe winning the inaugural #HeroCup after a keen contest against Team Great Britain & Ireland at the @adgolfclub @DPWorldTour
Dr Pawan Munjal handed over the coveted trophy to winning Captain @f_molinari pic.twitter.com/5utMyVf6J0— Hero MotoCorp (@HeroMotoCorp) January 15, 2023
On the value of the event in terms of a Ryder Cup, Molinari said: “It is invaluable, especially for the younger guys. To play match play, get the juices going this early in the year is great.”
Molinari is not guaranteed a place on the Ryder Cup team, but is desperate to play in his native Italy.
The ideal scenario for him would be to play his way onto the team, and if he shows the sort of form that enabled him to take down Ireland’s Shane Lowry 3&2 in the top match, that could happen.
.@AdrianMeronk with the putt that secured victory #HeroCup pic.twitter.com/qqF6GKLvQk
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) January 15, 2023
Credits:-
Photo – Hero MotoCorp