Team Cup: Justin Rose leads Great Britain and Ireland to dominant win as Francesco Molinari laments inexperience | Golf news
Francesco Molinari admitted he could have done more to help his continental European side after “things went wrong” ahead of their heavy Team Cup defeat to Great Britain and Ireland.
Continental Europe went into the Ryder Cup-style event as defending champions after success in 2023, only to drop all four of their matches to go down convincingly 17-8 against Justin Rose’s side.
Their title defense suffered a setback when key player Nicolai Hojgaard was forced to withdraw due to illness, while vice-captain Thomas Bjorn’s role was also limited due to illness, as Great Britain and Ireland dominated the three-day competition.
Molinari’s side trailed 11-4 heading into Sunday’s singles, despite French duo Matthieu Pavon and Romain Langasque combining to win their three matches in the first two days, with Great Britain and Ireland quickly grabbing the two points needed to seal victory.
“I think I probably could have done a little better job with the guys,” Molinari said. “They gave it their all. Our side were maybe the more inexperienced players at an event like this, but they’re great guys and they gave it their all. The GB&I team was just too tough for us this week.
“It’s definitely not ideal [losing Nicolai Højgaard to illness]. Thomas Bjørn was supposed to be vice-captain, and I think he was a little sick all week. A few things have gone wrong since the beginning of the week. We missed Nicolai.
“But to be fair, Julien [Guerrier] showed up last minute and played great golf. I’m glad the younger guys were exposed to this environment and we’ll be back in two years trying to win it again.”
GB&I threatened defeat as they led nine of 10 matches at one stage of the singles, only for continental Europe to fight back – with the competition already lost – to win three and level two matches on the final day.
“I love the experience, and the guys made me look incredibly good,” Rose said of the captaincy. “The way they played was first class. We had one clear message and that was to get on top, to try to be relentless, to play wave after wave.
“Playing to a big advantage, everyone felt we could get the job done, but just to focus on individual and personal pride, kind of a continuation of the message of the week.
“The score sheet at the start of the round was amazing, really. Credit to continental Europe and to Francesco himself and to the team as a whole. The whole matches were played in a great spirit, but my team definitely struck the right punch at the right time and won most of those key games .”
Fleetwood and Hatton impress Great Britain and Ireland
Tommy Fleetwood secured the point to confirm victory when he beat Pavon 3&1, having also secured the winning point for Europe when they defeated the United States in the 2023 Ryder Cup.
Ryder Cup star Fleetwood, who won all four points during the week to extend his great record in team events, said: “Obviously it’s a great feeling, what an amazing group of guys we’ve had this week and an amazing captain, so just a pleasure to be a part of .
“Everyone just played so well. It’s always motivating and inspiring to be with the guys in a team environment, you want to get the best out of yourself. Happy that we did it this time and I’m sure we’ll enjoy it later.”
Hatton, who also finished unbeaten and is looking to secure a fourth consecutive Ryder Cup appearance, added: “I think we all had a common goal at the start of the week – to want to win the Team Cup again. So, I’m very happy to win my point today, but more importantly, the team won.
“Until now, I guess Luke [Donald] he knows what I’m capable of or the type of golf I can produce. My job is more difficult to automatically qualify for the team, but I have five competitions to do so. I will do my best. My last three Ryder Cups, I’ve been able to qualify automatically and I’d like to continue that streak.”
What’s next?
The DP World Tour remains in the Middle East for the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, the opening Rolex Series event of the year, where Rory McIlroy returns as the defending champion. Featured group coverage begins on Thursday from 4am on Sky Sports Golf, before the full coverage from 7am.
Several of this week’s Team Cup line-ups are likely to feature in the Ryder Cup later this year, exclusively live from September 26-28 on Sky Sports Golf. Stream the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, majors and more with NOW.
