The 10-man winning Great Britain & Ireland team with Captain Justin Rose (centre)
In the first event of the European (DP World) Tour’s International Swing, Great Britain & Ireland (GB&I) achieved a decisive 17-8 victory against Continental Europe in the 2025 Team Cup at Abu Dhabi Golf Resort, UAE. The event, strategically designed as preparation for the Ryder Cup, highlighted dominant performances under English captain Justin Rose.
GB&I led 11-4 after Saturday’s foursomes, requiring just two points on Sunday to seal victory. 2024 European Open winner Laurie Canter delivered the first point in singles with a 5&4 win over France’s Romain Langasque. Moments later, 2017 Race to Dubai Rankings winner Tommy Fleetwood defeated another Frenchman, Matthieu Pavon, 3&1 to deliver the winning blow for his team. Fleetwood, the event’s top scorer, noted, “An unbelievable team effort led by a great captain.”
Captain Rose added a 3&2 win over Julien Guerrier, with Tyrrell Hatton beating Danish golfer Thorbjorn Olesen 3&1, and Paul Waring overcoming Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen 4&3. Rose credited his team, emphasizing their preparation and execution: “They earned every point with hard work and focus.”
The first-ever edition of the Team Cup was first played in 2023 but the event is reminiscent of the Seve Trophy, named after five-time major winner Seve Ballesteros, which was held eight times between 2000 and 2013. The Team Cup is now recognised as a key match-play event, with GB&I now holding seven wins in a combined tally of nine editions.
The Ryder Cup is set to take place in September at the Bethpage Black Course in New York, with GB&I’s dominance at the Team Cup underscoring their readiness.