The Hero Cup is a golf tournament between teams of professional male golfers; one team representing Great Britain and Ireland, the other team representing Continental Europe. The tournament was first played in 2023, but the competition is reminiscent of the Seve Trophy which was held eight times between 2000 and 2013.[1]
 | |
| Tournament information | |
|---|---|
| Location | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates |
| Established | 2023 |
| Course(s) | Abu Dhabi Golf Club |
| Par | 72 |
| Length | 7,642 yards (6,988 m) |
| Tour(s) | European Tour (unofficial event) |
| Format | Match play |
| Prize fund | €2,000,000 |
| Month played | January |
| Current champion | |
 Continental Europe | |
| Location map | |
  Abu Dhabi GC Location in the United Arab Emirates | |
A sponsorship deal was reached with the Indian two-wheeler manufacturers Hero MotoCorp.[2] Members of the winning team will each earn US$125,000, with those on the losing team each receiving US$75,000.[3]
Schedule edit
The event is an "approved special event" on the European Tour. The prize money does not count towards the Race to Dubai (previously the Order of Merit).
The 2023 event was the first. After Luke Donald was appointed as Ryder Cup Captain, he was keen to reinstate a team match play contest to give playing and leadership experience to future Ryder Cup players, vice-captains and captains.[2]
Format edit
The Hero Cup is a team event for professional male golfers; one team representing Great Britain and Ireland, the other team representing Continental Europe.
The cup is contested over three days (Friday to Sunday) and consists of one session of foursomes matches, two sessions of fourball matches and one session of singles matches, with all 20 players taking part in each session.[3]
Team qualification and selection edit
Two playing captains were chosen by the European Tour.
Eligibility for the event is similar that of the European team in the Ryder Cup. Players have to be European and be a member of the European Tour.
In the inaugural tournament, all players were "captain's picks", players chosen at the discretion of Ryder Cup Captain Luke Donald in consultation with the team captains.[3]
Results edit
| Year | Winners | Score | GB&I captain | Europe captain | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Continental Europe |
141⁄2–101⁄2 | Tommy Fleetwood | Francesco Molinari | Abu Dhabi Golf Club, UAE |
Appearances edit
The following are those selected to play in at least one of the matches.[4][5]
Great Britain and Ireland edit
Tommy Fleetwood (2023)
Ewen Ferguson (2023)- Tyrrell Hatton (2023)
Shane Lowry (2023)- Robert MacIntyre (2023)
- Richard Mansell (2023)
- Séamus Power (2023)
- Callum Shinkwin (2023)
- Jordan Smith (2023)
- Matt Wallace (2023)
Continental Europe edit
Francesco Molinari (2023)
Thomas Detry (2023)
Nicolai Højgaard (2023)
Adrian Meronk (2023)- Guido Migliozzi (2023)
Alex Norén (2023)
Victor Perez (2023)- Thomas Pieters (2023)
- Antoine Rozner (2023)
Sepp Straka (2023)
See also edit
References edit
- ^ "Hero Cup: Team GB and Ireland to play Continental Europe to give Ryder Cup hopefuls team match play experience". Sky Sports. 7 September 2022. Retrieved 18 December 2022.
- ^ a b "Hero Cup to take place in Abu Dhabi". PGA European Tour. 6 September 2022. Retrieved 18 December 2022.
- ^ a b c "Tommy Fleetwood and Francesco Molinari named Captains for new Hero Cup". PGA European Tour. 9 November 2022. Retrieved 18 December 2022.
- ^ "Teams unveiled for Hero Cup in Abu Dhabi". PGA European Tour. 28 November 2022. Retrieved 18 December 2022.
- ^ "Hero Cup: Luke Donald names line-ups as Great Britain and Ireland face Continental Europe". Sky Sports. 28 November 2022. Retrieved 18 December 2022.