Europe's Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald competes at the Charles Schwab Challenge golf tournament in Fort Worth, Texas, in May 2022. AP
Europe's Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald competes at the Charles Schwab Challenge golf tournament in Fort Worth, Texas, in May 2022. AP
Europe's Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald competes at the Charles Schwab Challenge golf tournament in Fort Worth, Texas, in May 2022. AP
Europe's Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald competes at the Charles Schwab Challenge golf tournament in Fort Worth, Texas, in May 2022. AP

DP World Tour announce new match-play team event to take place in Abu Dhabi


John McAuley
  • English
  • Arabic

Abu Dhabi Golf Club will in January host the Hero Cup, a new team match-play event on the DP World Tour designed to provide European players experience in team golf.

The event, announced on Tuesday, will run from January 13-15 at Abu Dhabi Golf Club, the week before the Rolex Series' Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship at Yas Links.

Two 10-man teams comprising players from Great Britain & Ireland and Continental Europe will be selected by Luke Donald, the 2023 European Ryder Cup captain, in consultation with the respective team captains. The two captains are yet to be named. Donald will work with both teams in Abu Dhabi.

The Hero Cup will comprise one session of foursomes, one session of fourballs and one session of singles matches, with all 20 players taking part in each session.

In a statement released on Tuesday, Donald said: “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.

“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.

“I am therefore grateful to Hero MotoCorp and the DP World Tour for supporting the concept of the Hero Cup, and I look forward to seeing the players compete at Abu Dhabi Golf Club in January.”

The teams will be confirmed following the season-concluding DP World Tour Championship, which takes place at Jumeirah Golf Estates from November 17-20. Tuesday’s statement said performance on the DP World Tour rankings would be taken into account in the player-selection process.

Guy Kinnings, European Ryder Cup director and DP World Tour deputy CEO and chief commercial officer, said: “The Hero Cup is another example of Hero MotoCorp’s commitment to innovation in golf and to our Tour in general.

“We are therefore extremely grateful to Dr Munjal for his continued support and for backing this new event, which is an evolution of our proud tradition of team match-play events.

“Our thanks also go to Abu Dhabi Sports Council and the Emirates Golf Federation for their support of the DP World Tour, and to Abu Dhabi Golf Club for hosting this event which will be a fantastic way to start the 2023 calendar year.”

Aref Al Awani, general secretary at Abu Dhabi Sports Council, said: “We are delighted to be hosting the Hero Cup at Abu Dhabi Golf Club, adding yet another fantastic tournament to our roster of world-class sporting events.

“Team match play is always an exciting format and, along with our Rolex Series event the following week at Yas Island, we are thrilled to welcome the DP World Tour players to Abu Dhabi for two consecutive weeks at the start of 2023.”

Roll of honour

Who has won what so far in the West Asia Premiership season?

Western Clubs Champions League - Winners: Abu Dhabi Harlequins; Runners up: Bahrain

Dubai Rugby Sevens - Winners: Dubai Exiles; Runners up: Jebel Ali Dragons

West Asia Premiership - Winners: Jebel Ali Dragons; Runners up: Abu Dhabi Harlequins

UAE Premiership Cup - Winners: Abu Dhabi Harlequins; Runners up: Dubai Exiles

West Asia Cup - Winners: Bahrain; Runners up: Dubai Exiles

West Asia Trophy - Winners: Dubai Hurricanes; Runners up: DSC Eagles

Final West Asia Premiership standings - 1. Jebel Ali Dragons; 2. Abu Dhabi Harlequins; 3. Bahrain; 4. Dubai Exiles; 5. Dubai Hurricanes; 6. DSC Eagles; 7. Abu Dhabi Saracens

Fixture (UAE Premiership final) - Friday, April 13, Al Ain – Dubai Exiles v Abu Dhabi Harlequins

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Tamkeen's offering
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Electric scooters: some rules to remember
  • Riders must be 14-years-old or over
  • Wear a protective helmet
  • Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
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  • Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
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UAE%20v%20West%20Indies
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THREE POSSIBLE REPLACEMENTS

Khalfan Mubarak
The Al Jazira playmaker has for some time been tipped for stardom within UAE football, with Quique Sanchez Flores, his former manager at Al Ahli, once labelling him a “genius”. He was only 17. Now 23, Mubarak has developed into a crafty supplier of chances, evidenced by his seven assists in six league matches this season. Still to display his class at international level, though.

Rayan Yaslam
The Al Ain attacking midfielder has become a regular starter for his club in the past 15 months. Yaslam, 23, is a tidy and intelligent player, technically proficient with an eye for opening up defences. Developed while alongside Abdulrahman in the Al Ain first-team and has progressed well since manager Zoran Mamic’s arrival. However, made his UAE debut only last December.

Ismail Matar
The Al Wahda forward is revered by teammates and a key contributor to the squad. At 35, his best days are behind him, but Matar is incredibly experienced and an example to his colleagues. His ability to cope with tournament football is a concern, though, despite Matar beginning the season well. Not a like-for-like replacement, although the system could be adjusted to suit.

Updated: September 06, 2022, 12:34 PM