… in Abu Dhabi
Continental Europe is celebrating in storming their way to capturing the inaugural Hero Cup in Abu Dhabi.
Europe went into the deciding Singles leading by two points at 8 ½ to 6 ½ and inspired by their undefeated captain Francesco Molinari to seal a four point victory by 14 1/2 to 10 1/2.
And it was Poland’s Adrian Meronk holing the winning putt for a 1up victory over Callum Shinkin in the sixth match of the day.
The Hero Cup was brought back onto the DP World Tour schedule following the loss of the Seve Trophy, a similar event inaugurated in 2000 and ending in 2013, and with Europe winning just twice in the nine events, and that being in the first and last years.
And there was none better on the European team than Molinari. He had been a member of the 2013 Seve Cup side and he led his team in the UAE capital by example being unbeaten his four matches, winning 4 ½ points from a possible five.
After winning five from five points at the 2018 Ryder Cup, Molinari has now won 9 ½ points in his last two match-play appearances.
“Amazing, amazing. I could finally relax. The last couple of hours have been tense after finishing my game,” said Molinari.
“It’s been great all week, super happy for the guys. Like I said all week, it’s been very, very easy leading them and being a captain for them. I think we found some really good pairings and just had a great week to start the year and I can only wish them all the best for the rest of the season.
“I am just pleased many, many things. Many pairings seemed to gel really, really well, which was great. Made my job a lot easier because I didn’t have to tinker and change too much. Just spending time with some of the guys, the younger guys that maybe I didn’t know as well, it’s been great fun.
“And as for this year’s Ryder Cup it’s invaluable, really, especially for the younger guys but even for us, to play match play, just get the juices going early, this early in the year, it’s a great event. We really enjoy it. The DP World Tour has done a great job at setting it up. Obviously, the crowds have enjoyed it as well.
“I think we played some really good golf all in all, so hopefully we can do it again next year or the year after”.
It was Molinari who struck from the outset with a 15-foot birdie at the first to go 1up and while each birdied the second, the joint hero at the 2018 Ryder Cup went 2up when he birdied the third.
And if Lowry’s demeanour needed any further blows after losing all three prior matches, then Molinari did just that rubbing further salt into a growing wound by winning the shortest par-3 fourth hole with a par.
Lowry, who has his name under that of Molinari on the famed Claret Jug, then birdied the seventh and eighth holes to get back to just 1 down.
However, Molinari had other ideas winning 12 and 13 to get back to 2up, and with Lowry making a mess of the 16th, first getting a ‘fried egg’ in a fairway bunker and then finding a second bunker, taking a double-bogey for the Italian to win 3 & 2.
“It feels good getting that first point and it was great to play alongside Shane”, said Molinari.
“We each played some great golf, back-and-forward making birdies and also hitting really good shots, but then it was nice to come out on top”.
Disappointingly, Lowry ended the event winless losing all four matches.
