Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship winner Paul Waring is set for a quick return to the capital for the Team Cup event that is being held early in 2025.
The 39-year-old Englishman secured the finest win of his career when he triumphed at Yas Links two weeks ago in a tournament that saw him card a course record 11-under par 61 in the second round.
He went on the secure the title by two shots over Tyrell Hatton holding off a stellar final-day challenge that also included the likes of Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry, Tommy Fleetwood and Thorbjorn Olesen.
And now Waring has been included in the Great Britain and Ireland team that will take on Continental Europe at Abu Dhabi Golf Club, from January 10-12.
European Ryder Cup Captain Luke Donald revealed on Wednesday the first 18 competitors – nine on each side – for next year’s match play contest, with a combined 70 DP World Tour victories.
The final member of each side will be selected after the Nedbank Golf Challenge in South Africa, which concludes on December 8.
Donald is using the tournament as a warm-up event for the defence of Europe's Ryder Cup crown at Bethpage Black in New York in late September with Francesco Molinari and Justin Rose having already been named as captains – for Continental Europe and Great Britain and Ireland, respectively.
Molinari will lead Continental Europe in their defence of the Team Cup (then called the Hero Cup), which they won in 2023 after defeating Great Britain & Ireland 14½-10½ over three days.
The teams will compete in one session of fourballs on the Friday, two sessions of foursomes on the Saturday and one session of singles on Sunday, with every player taking part in each session.
Both sides will each have representation from three Ryder Cup players, with Molinari joined by Nicolai Hojgaard and Olesen, while Rose is alongside Fleetwood and Hatton. Also joining up with Rose's team will be five-time DP World Tour winner Matt Wallace, Tom McKibbin, Jordan Smith, Laurie Canter and Aaron Rai.
“Having two Ryder Cup teammates in Tommy and Tyrrell in the team will be invaluable, but I’m looking forward to seeing how the rest of the team step up to this new arena,” said 2013 US Open champion Rose.
“Having also played in 2023, I’m sure Matt and Jordan will be keen to go out there and win the Cup so it’ll be great to watch them in action again.
“Most of my team have also had the opportunity to represent either Great Britain & Ireland or England and Ireland separately in the past, so they have a lot of experience to draw on from their amateur days.
Ryder Cup 2023 player ratings
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RYDER CUP PLAYER RATINGS - TEAM EUROPE: From the heartbreak of Whistling Straits to Europe's top points scorer in Rome, McIlroy was a man on a mission. Won his first three matches and only a miracle putt on 18 prevented a half-point on Saturday afternoon. Dominated Sam Burns in singles for his best-ever Ryder Cup haul. AP -
Overwhelmed on debut two years ago, Hovland arrived in Rome as arguably the best player in the world and played like it. Set the tone with a chip-in on the first and claimed one-and-a-half points on the opening day. Combined with Aberg for a historic 9&7 win on Saturday morning, and after a defeat in fourballs, bounced back by crushing Collin Morikawa in singles. A dominant performance from a world-class player. Getty -
Hatton's first Ryder Cup as a senior player, and boy did he revel in his leadership role. Formed an unbreakable foursomes partnership with Rahm, winning both games, and claimed a half with Hovland in Friday fourballs. Then proceeded to crush Open champion Harman in singles. A fearless, feisty display from the Englishman in Rome. Reuters -
The Spaniard was Europe's star in a losing effort in Wisconsin and he led from the front again in Rome. Dominated alongside Hatton in Friday's foursomes and holed an outrageous putt off the green to split the Friday fourballs. Won again with Hatton on Saturday morning, and after sitting out the afternoon, went up against Scheffler in a titanic singles tussle, claiming the half on the 18th. The ultimate big-game player. Getty -
Paired with rookie MacIntyre for Friday and Saturday fourballs, Rose took on the mentor role with conviction. Sunk a nerveless putt on 18 to share the honours against the previously formidable Spieth and Thomas. Then marshalled MacIntyre to victory in Europe's only win on Saturday afternoon. Put up a game fight in a losing singles effort against Cantlay but fulfilled his leadership role superbly. Getty -
Struggled early on but still won alongside McIlroy in the Friday foursomes, Fleetwood then came into his own 24 hours later to earn another foursomes point with McIlroy. Yet he saved his very best for Sunday's singles, beating Fowler 3&1 to secure the cup for Europe. His drive onto the par-4 16th was one of the shots of the tournament. The Englishman is tailor-made for this tournament. Getty -
Selected having only turned pro three months ago, Aberg justified the pick and exceeded all the hype with a stellar rookie showing. Claimed two points alongside Hovland in the foursomes, including a record 9&7 win on Saturday that left opponent Scheffler in tears. Lost his last two matches but by then the damage had been done, and the Swede was a key contributor. A generational talent indeed. PA -
Viewed as Europe's potential weak link, the Scot did look out of his depth early but came alive from Saturday onwards, combining with Rose for Europe's only Saturday fourballs point, before easing past US Open champion Wyndham Clark in Sunday's singles. Ended the Ryder Cup with more points than world No 1 Scottie Scheffler. PA -
The Irishman contributed to the best-ever European session, combining with rookie Straka as part of a Friday foursomes clean sweep, although the pair got dominated the following day. Halved his singles match with Spieth on Sunday. Lowry was Europe's most passionate and vocal cheerleader, and was clearly loving every minute. Getty -
Arrived in Rome seeking his first Ryder Cup point following five defeats, the Englishman started like a train to lead McIlroy to victory in Friday fourballs. First point secured but that's as good as it got for Fitzpatrick, who lost his remaining two matches. A much-improved performance, though. Getty -
Started brilliantly with a point in his first Ryder Cup session, but the Austrian rookie lost his other two matches, in Saturday foursomes and Sunday singles. Played his part in the win, and some solid golf on the PGA Tour should keep him in contention for a place on the 2025 team. EPA -
The Danish rookie started brightly on Friday afternoon but the gritty half-point alongside Rahm was the best it got. Hojgaard is capable of stunning shot-making but his putter went badly cold on Saturday and Sunday and he lost both matches. Definitely a star of the future, though, and the experience will be invaluable for future Ryder Cups. Getty -
A perfect captain's performance. From his team selection, choice of pairings, and playing order, Donald barely put a foot wrong. Opting to lead out with foursomes on Friday and Saturday was a masterstroke. The strong European team culture was evident not only during the week but throughout the weeks and months leading up to the tournament. Took his Ryder Cup tally to five wins from five. Getty -
TEAM USA: Homa looked genuinely terrified on the first tee, but looks can be deceiving. Despite losing that opening morning session, he grew from strength to strength, winning three and halving one of his remaining four games. He was also responsible for the coldest moment of the tournament, taking his hat off and walking to shake hands with his vanquished opponents while his chip was still travelling to the hole. USA's standout player. Getty -
Involved in as much off-course drama as on it. There were accusations of Cantlay leading a split in the team room amid an alleged protest over a lack of pay. While those are all rumours, Cantlay delivered his best in the second half of the tournament after losing his first two matches. Attempted to build some momentum with a victory in Saturday fourballs and won his singles match. Revelled in the pantomime villain role. Getty -
After losing his Friday morning match, won both on Saturday to become one of the US's leading players heading into Sunday singles, where he was outplayed by Tyrrell Hatton. A satisfactory Ryder Cup debut but hardly a dominant performance befitting a major champion. AFP -
His selection divided opinion given his poor form this season on the PGA Tour, but Thomas showed plenty of grit - a quality missing from many of his teammates. Lost two and halved one of his three pairing matches, but partner Spieth was more to blame for the defeats. Won his singles against Straka. Hardly set Rome alight but justified his pick. Getty -
Burns was all over the show on Friday morning in the foursomes defeat alongside Scheffler but was much improved in Saturday fourballs to win a point with Morikawa. He was then outclassed by McIlroy in singles. Hardly justified his captain's pick. EPA -
Spoke a big game leading into Rome but hardly backed it up. Directly responsible for throwing away half a point after a horror 18th hole in Friday's fourballs, but did collect a point the next day alongside Cantlay. Clark was then outplayed by MacIntyre in the singles to compound a forgettable debut. AP -
The only LIV player on the US team, Koepka won one, drew one, and lost one of his three matches. Not a terrible return but given his status as one of the world's leading players, he never imposed himself. Koepka was also involved in the biggest defeat in foursomes history but produced a strong singles performance. Nowhere near enough of a contribution. AP -
Irrepressible in Wisconsin two years ago, Morikawa was a shadow of that player in Rome. Lost both of his matches on Friday, before collecting his first win in Saturday's fourballs. The two-time major champion was then dominated by Hovland in singles. A huge talent but miles off his best in Italy. PA -
Saw his previously perfect partnership with Cantlay taken apart with twin losses on Friday and lost again in Saturday foursomes. Claimed a full point by beating Hojgaard in singles but the US were already out of contention by then. Another star from Wisconsin who slumped in Rome. Getty -
One of the senior members of the US team, Spieth, like Scheffler, went winless in Rome, halving two and losing two of his four matches. His formidable partnership with Thomas was cut down to size and he let slip his lead against Lowry in singles to settle for a half. Far from the imposing figure of past Ryder Cups. Getty -
Revived this year after a few seasons in the wilderness, Fowler arrived in Rome in good form and as an experienced member of the US team. However, he proceeded to lose both of his matches and made very little impact on the tournament. Apparently he was suffering from illness but either way, a hugely disappointing return to the team. EPA -
A surprise star at Whistling Straits, Scheffler has spent the past two years establishing himself as the best player on the planet. Yet, in Rome, the world No 1 crumbled. Failed to win a match and was reduced to tears after his and Koepka's record defeat on Saturday. Involved in a thrilling singles match with Rahm, but blew the chance to win having led on 18. The chronic putter issues were horribly exposed. Getty -
A thoroughly nice and decent guy but Johnson was hardly the inspirational figure his team needed after a historically bad Friday. Got many of his selections wrong, and struggled to reverse his team's fortunes. Whereas Europe was a team united, that same culture was evidently absent in the US team room, which ultimately falls on the captain. EPA
“They are all proven winners on Tour, but Europe as a whole is going to benefit massively from next year’s Team Cup as we look towards the Ryder Cup at Bethpage.”
Olesen was one of the four automatic qualifiers for Molinari’s side, with fellow Scandinavians Rasmus Hojgaard and Niklas Norgaard and Italian Matteo Manassero also earning an automatic place on the Continental European team.
Rounding out the European side are the French pair of Matthieu Pavon and Antoine Rozner alongside the Dutchman Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen.
“It may be a new-look Continental European side but I’m really excited to lead these players at Abu Dhabi Golf Resort as we bid to defend the Team Cup next year,” said 2018 Open Champion Molinari.
“There is a fantastic blend of players who have hit the ground running at the start of their careers and those with a lot of experience on their side, and most of them have played in team competitions in the past as amateurs, which will have given them a great insight into these environments.”
And Donald, who will be captaining the European team for a second consecutive contest, said he and the two captains are “really excited by the two teams” playing in the Abu Dhabi tournament.
“This event provided valuable insight for a number of players who eventually made it to Marco Simone, with six of the 20 competitors in 2023 going on to play in the Ryder Cup, three of those making their debut appearances, and we’re excited to see who can make their mark in next year as they try to earn a place in my side for New York City,” added Donald.
