Tommy Fleetwood and Francesco Molinari have been named as playing captains for next year's Hero Cup.
The team match play competition will see Great Britain and Ireland take on Continental Europe at Abu Dhabi Golf Club from January 13-15, 2023, with Fleetwood and Molinari each selecting nine players for their teams.
Selection will take into account performances on the DP World Tour Rankings while the contest itself will consist of one session of foursomes, one session of fourballs and one session of singles matches. All 20 players will take part in each session with members of the winning team earning $125,000 and those on the losing team each receiving $75,000.
Luke Donald, the 2023 European Ryder Cup captain, paid tribute to Fleetwood and Molinari for "supporting this overall concept" that is seen as an ideal testing ground for the next generation of European players ahead of the biennial contest next September.
Very happy to have Tommy and Francesco involved in this new matchplay event. Some matchplay the year of the Ryder Cup is an important part of the process. https://t.co/YroNZ76G31November 9, 2022
Molinari and Fleetwood famously forged a formidable partnership for Europe in the 2018 Ryder Cup at Le Golf National in Paris, winning all four of their matches together to earn the nickname ‘Moliwood’.
"The Hero Cup is a great idea and will be a very good way for European players to get some more experience of playing in team match play. I definitely felt like it benefited me when I played in similar events in the past," Molinari said.
"Hopefully as Captains, Tommy and I can bring some of our own experience of team golf to help the other players and we are looking forward to working with Luke on this exciting new concept ahead of a big year for European golf with the Ryder Cup taking place in my home country."
Fleetwood added: "Fran and I obviously get on very well so I am sure it will feel a little strange at first being opposing Captains, but I think the Hero Cup is a fantastic way for players to compete in team match play, which is something both of us have always relished.
"Abu Dhabi has been pretty good to me over the years so hopefully that will continue in January and I look forward to working closely with Fran and Luke, as well as all the players."
-
LPGA Tour Announces 2025 ScheduleThe 2025 LPGA Tour season will have two new events including a visit to Mexico, while the biennial International Crown returns
-
How Adam Scott Helped Shape The Design Of The Two New L.A.B. Golf PuttersToday marks the exciting release of the L.A.B. Golf OZ.1 collection. Let’s take a closer look at what golfers can expect…
-
'I Don't Believe That I've Reached My Potential At All' - Tommy Fleetwood Shares Candid Thoughts On His Winless Drought And Absolute Love For The GameThe Englishman remains without a PGA Tour title to his name and has only one DP World Tour crown on his resume in almost two years
-
LIV Golfer 'Lending' Caddie To Tommy Fleetwood For PGA Championship As 'Very Lucky' Ian Finnis Continues Recovery From Heart SurgeryIan Poulter's regular caddie - who has also worked for the likes of Justin Rose, Vijay Singh, and Michelle Wie West - will loop for Fleetwood at Valhalla this week
-
'Don’t Ask Me To Apologise For Finally Learning To Play Smart On A Sunday At The Masters' - Tommy Fleetwood On '$20m Loser' CriticsTommy Fleetwood spoke exclusively to Golf Monthly about a couple of near-misses at Majors and his desire to win one soon
-
Tommy Fleetwood Banks Huge Sum For Local Augusta Caddie After Englishman's Best Masters ResultGray Moore is a former Augusta National caddie master who was helping Fleetwood out after his regular caddie Ian Finnis was forced to stay home
-
Mexico Open Prize Money Payout 2024Tony Finau defends his title in a tournament offering $400,000 more than the 2023 edition
-
Tommy Fleetwood Spotted At LIV Golf Las Vegas EventThe PGA Tour player was in Nevada to work with coach Butch Harmon and catch up with former colleagues
-
Tommy Fleetwood Signs Contract Extension With TaylorMadeTommy Fleetwood has joined Scottie Scheffler in signing a new multi-year deal with TaylorMade as the manufacturer strengthens its team for the 2024 season
-
'There's A Long Way To Go' - Fleetwood Still In The Hunt After Level-Par 71Tommy Fleetwood will begin the weekend five shots back of leader Brian Harman and well in the chase for his first Major
