Lone Scot Robert MacIntyre will be looking for Tartan compatriot company when he tees-up early in the New Year in the inaugural Hero Cup in Abu Dhabi.
MacIntyre is a certainty to be picked in a Tommy Fleetwood captained GB & I team as Fleetwood’s men go head-to-head with European team captain Francesco Molinari, and the Englishman’s unbeaten ‘Moliwood’ partner from the 2018 victorious Ryder Cup in Versailles.
Fleetwood and Molinari have been confirmed as playing captains of a 10-man side competing in a Ryder Cup style format, and like the former Seve Trophy, will help identify pairing combinations for 2023 European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald will be present at the January 13th commencing event at the National Golf Club in the UAE capital.
Lone Scot Robert MacIntyre looking for Scottish company in January’s inaugural Hero Cup
Fleetwood and Molinari will each choose a respective nine GB&I-born players and a similar number of Europe-born players, and with MacIntyre, as the reigning Italian Open champ currently fourth on the ‘European’ Ryder Cup points table and currently would be an automatic Rome pick, lying second qualifier off the ‘World’ table.
Fleetwood said: “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,” said Fleetwood.
“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.”
The closest Scot to MacIntyre on the Rome points tables is Craigielaw’s Grant Forrest, lying 35th on the ‘European’ table and 39th on the ‘World’ points standing.
MacIntyre will seek to strengthen his Rome qualifying position over his closing two events of the 2022 DP World Tour season – this week’s 40th hosting of the Nedbank Challenge in South Africa and next week’s DP World Tour showdown in Dubai.
And Ferguson will play in the company of Donald who has asked for the young Scot to join his group over the first two rounds in the Gary Player supported event.
Joining MacIntyre in Sun City will be fellow Scots as well as fellow champs this year in Richie Ramsay and Ewen Ferguson, along with Connor Syme, David Law and Scott Jamieson.
All but Jamieson, and lying 61st, are inside the top-60 Race to Dubai money list to qualify for next week’s curtain-closer in the UAE.
Meantime –
Stephen Gallacher will lead a field of five Scots including Kirkhill’s Scott Craig, Dumfries Liam Johnston, Peebles Craig Howie and Michael Stewart into Friday’s opening round of final qualifying for 2023 DP World full membership in Spain.
The goal of each Scot will be to finish among the leading 25 qualifiers at the close of the torturous six rounds next Wednesday on the Infinitum course at Tarragona.
