GB&I Team Cup win ‘very valuable’ – Donald

Despite Great Britain and Ireland’s golfers winning eight games in a row over Continental Europe, Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald claims the Team Cup was “very valuable.”

Any jeopardy quickly evaporated as Justin Rose’s GB&amp, I side romped to a 17-8 triumph, with the overall result sealed by Tommy Fleetwood’s 3&amp, 1 win over Matthieu Pavon.

It gave the Englishman, who also claimed the winning point at the 2023 Ryder Cup, a 100% record this week.

Laurie Canter had already taken GB&amp, I, who needed only two points from the 10 final-day singles contests, to the brink of victory by beating Romain Langasque 5&amp, 4.

The overall result was already known when Tyrrell Hatton kept his unbeaten streak alive with a 3&1 win over Thorbjorn Olesen.

Donald defended this week’s gathering at Abu Dhabi Golf Club as being worthwhile preparation for Europe’s Ryder Cup defense at Bethpage in September despite such a lopsided event.

“I think it has been a very valuable week for everyone involved – all the players, myself and the vice-captains”, the European skipper told BBC Sport.

We learned a lot from our initial encounters in New York and are still learning for the challenges that lie ahead.

In 2023, Donald led Europe to a convincing victory to reclaim the Ryder Cup in Italy. “New York is going to be a different environment to Rome”, he warned.

We have been testing out some messaging strategies to communicate to players what it will be like and what participating in a Ryder Cup means.

There are many young players present, but there are also many potential future players, and the goal is to educate them about the significance of the Ryder Cup, its significance, and its potential benefits.

“I believe that everyone will leave this week feeling more confident in their understanding of the meaning of the Ryder Cup, the history behind it, and what they need to do to participate in it.”

Rose strengthened his credentials during this, his first captaincy encounter, and is thought to be the most likely choice to take Donald in 2027.

His two strongest players, Fleetwood and Hatton, were sent out in the opening matches, demonstrating a ruthless streak to win as quickly as possible.

“We know how meticulously Justin has prepared for everything, done the right things, and made the most of everything,” Donald said. “I think he took this job very seriously.

He should be a Ryder Cup captain at some point, I believe he is aware of. He chose my opinion, and I think his team communication was flawless.

He will obviously be very pleased with the outcome, according to the statement “I kind of left him to do it himself.”

Rose beat Julien Guerrier 3&amp, 2 and the unbeaten Paul Waring secured a 4&amp, 3 win over Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen.

Continental Europe only managed to win the fifth singles match by beating Matthew Jordan 3& 2 with a point from Niklas Norgaard. Matteo Manassero and Tom McKibbin both lost to Antoine Rozner on the final green, as did Matteo Rozner.

Before Rasmus Hojgaard birdied the final to make it 2-2 with Aaron Rai, the continental captain Francesco Molinari and Jordan Smith were tied in the bottom match.

Fleetwood acknowledged the value of the three days of competition after claiming the winning point. “I love the role that Luke has said this Team Cup plays come September”, the 33-year-old said.

“Everybody from Luke, the vice captains, the players, all the stuff, they put such a huge effort into this week because it has such a vital role for September.