Thanks in particular to Francesco Molinari (photo), Nicolaï Højgaard and… Victor Perez, all three undefeated, like the Italian Guido Migliozzi, the continental European team won the Hero Cup 2023 after ten singles matches by beating the team of Great Britain and Ireland on the total score of 14.5 points to 10.5! A good omen before the Ryder Cup scheduled for next September in Rome.
L.V.
Almost ten years after their last victory in this atypical competition before a long eclipse, the Continentals retain the Hero Cup (formerly Seve Trophy) thanks to their success in singles this Sunday on theAbu Dhabi Golf Club.
In the lead at the end of the Saturday foursomes with a score of 8.5 points to 6.5, they made the difference during the long-awaited and oh so decisive Sunday duels. Six victories for the continental team against only four for the British.
????????????#HeroCup pic.twitter.com/4nPJt3oFmQ
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) January 15, 2023
Among these, it is obviously necessary to retain the demonstration given by the captain, the Italian Francis Molinarivictorious 3&2 of a very pale Shane Lowry, author of a zero point with four defeats in as many matches. The winner of The Open 2018 at Carnoustie was never behind in the score and offered, as if by magic, a very high level golf game. Like the one who had allowed him to win his five matches in Golf National when Ryder Cup 2018.
Solid 1 up win also from the Dane Nicolai Højgaard on the Irish Seamus Powerleader of the FedEx Cup on the PGA Tour. Invited at the last minute to replace his twin brother, Rasmus, injured, he did not crack, far from it, showing a game almost without the slightest flaw despite a difficult start to the game (2 down after 3 holes) . The Scandinavian, like his captain and doubles partner, brings 3.5 points to his team.
Incredible eagle for Nicolai Højgaard ????#HeroCup pic.twitter.com/SqGMW7NGT1
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) January 15, 2023
Also undefeated Victor Perez et Guido Migliozzi. Inseparable in fourballs as in foursomes, the French and the Italian won their match hands down, respectively 4&2 and 4&3 against the English Jordan Smith et Richard Mansell. These two scored points with Luke Donald, the captain of the ubiquitous European team this week in the Emirates. Their complementarity in doubles clearly impressed!
Not really in the game between Friday and Saturday with three defeats in a row, the Pole Adrian Meronk also brought his stone to the building by beating 1 up the Englishman Callum Shinkwin on the 18th green. Meanwhile, the Austrian Sepp Straka had made short work of the Scottish Ewen Fergusonlaminated 5&4.
Matt Wallace means business ????
He goes 3UP thru 7 holes.#HeroCup pic.twitter.com/c9hhBWLgrd
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) January 15, 2023
Among the British, the satisfactions in these singles came – was it necessary to doubt it? – of the most experienced. Tommy Fleetwoodone of the heroes of the 2018 Ryder Cup, was much stronger than the Belgian Thomas Pieters, beaten 3&2. same for me Tyrrell Hattonunquestionably a pillar of the future Ryder Cup team and who has been ruthless with Antoine Roznerwho did not deserve to bow so heavily: 5&4.
An important victory also from the point of view of Rome for Robert MacIntyreruthless with the Swede Alex Noren, clearly overwhelmed by the firepower of the Scotsman, already 4 up after 8 holes and finally winner 5&3. Victorious 2&1 of the Belgian Thomas Detry, Matt Wallace, who was on the verge of the Ryder Cup in France in 2018, for his part demonstrated all his self-sacrifice and his desire to win. Will it be enough to qualify for a place in Italy? Not sure ! Verdict on the evening of September 17, at the end of the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth (England).
The results of Sunday’s ten singles
Photo : Oisin Keniry / GETTY IMAGES ASIAPAC / Getty Images via AFP
