DP World Tour announces new match play tournament as Ryder Cup warm-up
Ten years on from the last Seve Trophy, the DP World Tour has announced a replacement of sorts with the Hero Cup.
The new team match play contest, aimed at giving European players experience in the format, will be contested between Great Britain and Ireland and Continental Europe.
The two 10-man teams for the inaugural meeting at Abu Dhabi Golf Club in January will be selected by Luke Donald, who will preside over the event in his capacity as the 2023 European Ryder Cup captain, in consultation with the two team captains, who will be named in due course.
Donald will work with both teams in Abu Dhabi and will keep a close eye on the action inside the ropes across the three days, with the contest consisting of one session of foursomes, one session of fourballs, and one session of singles matches. All 20 players will take part in each session.
“One of the first things I was keen to do when I was appointed as Ryder Cup captain was to reinstate a team match play contest to give playing and leadership experience to future Ryder Cup players, vice-captains and captains,” Donald explained.
“I spoke to a number of former Ryder Cup captains who were strong advocates of how similar events in the past have benefitted players who were pushing to make Ryder Cup teams, as well as their own captaincy journey.”
The teams for the 2023 Hero Cup will be confirmed following the conclusion of the DP World Tour Championship in November.
Alex Perry
Alex has been the editor of National Club Golfer since 2017. A Devonian who enjoys wittering on about his south west roots, Alex moved north to join NCG after more than a decade in London, the last five of which were with ESPN. Away from golf, Alex follows Torquay United and spends too much time playing his PlayStation or his guitar and not enough time practising his short game.
