Team Cup: Justin Rose’s Great Britain and Ireland edge closer to big win in Ryder Cup-style competition as Tyrrell Hatton and Tommy Fleetwood impress | Golf news
Great Britain and Ireland are closing in on a convincing Team Cup victory over continental Europe after taking an 11-4 lead into the final day of the Ryder Cup-style competition in Abu Dhabi.
The team competition is played in preparation for the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black this September, live on Sky Sports, with Luke Donald on site to support players captain Justin Rose and Francesco Molinari.
Rose’s side held a two-point advantage after Friday’s fourballs at Abu Dhabi Golf Resort and doubled their advantage after taking 3.5 points in Saturday morning’s fourballs, before closing in on victory by winning the afternoon session.
Tyrrell Hatton continued his unbeaten start to the tournament by partnering Matt Wallace to victory in the top match, with GB and Ireland winning three of the other four matches – in another one-sided session – to continue their dominance.
Great Britain and Ireland need just two points from 10 individual matches on the final day to qualify for the biennial competition, while continental Europe – the defending champions after success in 2023 – look set for a heavy defeat despite Mathieu Pavon and Romain Langasque winning in all three matches. their matches together.
More to come…
What happened earlier that day?
Great Britain and Ireland won three and drew one of five matches in the fog-delayed morning session, which started 35 minutes later than planned, to put Rose’s side 7-3 up and in control of the contest.
Rose and Tommy Fleetwood wrapped up a 2up victory over Molinari and Julien Guerrier, after seeing Hatton eagle the final hole to grab half a point for him and Wallace against Thorbjorn Olesen and Niklas Noorgard.
Aaron Rai and Tom McKibbin defeated Nicolai Hojgaard and Rasmus Neegaard-Petersen 4&3, while Paul Waring and Matthew Jordan took the biggest win of the session by defeating Matteo Manasser and Antoine Rozner 5&3.
Continental Europe’s only full point came in the last match, where the French duo of Pavon and Langasque beat Jordan Smith and Laurie Canter 3&2, while Molinari’s side won just 1.5 points for the second consecutive game.
What’s happening on Sunday?
All 20 players will be involved again in Sunday’s singles, which kicks off at 10.35am local time (6.35am GMT) and matches are played at nine-minute intervals.
Sunday’s singles draw follows…
Can continental Europe make a historic comeback at the Team Cup? Watch the final day live on Sunday from 6.30am on Sky Sports Golf and Sky Sports Main Event. Stream the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, majors and more with NOW.
