Francesco Molinari and Justin Rose named as captains for Team Cup in Abu Dhabi

Italian and Briton lead respective Continental Europe and Great Britain & Ireland sides in crucial warm-up event for Ryder Cup

Francesco Molinari, left, and Justin Rose, right, are set to go head-to-head in the Team Cup. Photos: Getty Images

Francesco Molinari and Justin Rose have been confirmed as playing captains at the Team Cup event that takes place at Abu Dhabi Golf Club early in 2025.

Molinari captained Continental Europe to victory two years ago and will go head-to-head with his Ryder Cup teammate Rose, who assumes the Great Britain & Ireland captaincy for the first time.

And keeping a close eye on proceedings on the National Course from January 10-12 will be Team Europe captain Luke Donald as he looks to defend the Ryder Cup crown at Bethpage Black in New York in late September after breaking with tradition and agreeing to remain in charge for a second consecutive contest.

He became Europe’s first repeat captain since Bernard Gallacher in 1991, 1993 and 1995 and will bid to become only the second captain after Tony Jacklin in 1985 and 1987 to win home and away.

“I’m really pleased that the Team Cup is returning as it provided some invaluable experience for a lot of players last year. I think all of us got a lot out of the week in terms of experiencing the uniqueness of a team environment,” said Donald, who guided his team to a commanding 16½ to 11½ victory over the United States in Rome to reclaim the Ryder Cup.

"It also helped everyone involved to understand, through the Past Ryder Cup Captains who came and spoke to the players during the event, just what it means to represent Europe in the Ryder Cup.

“I am delighted that Francesco and Justin will assume the role of captains. We saw what Francesco was capable of when he led Continental Europe to a great victory in 2023 and Justin was inspirational both inside and outside the ropes at Marco Simone last year. I’m excited to see them go head-to-head.”

Formerly known as the Hero Cup, the tournament aims to replicate the Ryder Cup as closely as possible with teams competing in match play across one session of fourballs on the Friday, two sessions of foursomes on the Saturday and one session of singles on the Sunday, with every player taking part in all four of the sessions.

Each match will be worth one point, with the team crossing the 12½ point mark winning the Team Cup.

Europe, led by Molinari, defeated the GB&I team led by Tommy Fleetwood by 14½-10½ when the event took place for the first time in 2023 in Abu Dhabi.

Nicolai Hojgaard and Sepp Straka (Europe) along with Fleetwood, Tyrrell Hatton, Shane Lowry and Robert MacIntyre (GB&I) went on to become members of Donald's winning team in Italy.

“I’m delighted to have the opportunity to captain Continental Europe again and to try and successfully defend the Team Cup," said Molinari.

"It was a really special week in 2023 and was great to see players from so many different countries across the continent working towards one single goal. I have immense respect for Justin, he is a great competitor and going up against him and his team is a challenge I’m really relishing.”

Rose, the 2013 US Open champion, said: “It’ll be strange going up against Fran in a match play competition rather than him being on the same side, but it’s something I am really looking forward to, even though I know it will be tough given Fran’s history not just in this contest but in the Ryder Cup too.

"But there is so much exciting talent from Great Britain and Ireland on the DP World Tour right now – it will be great to have the chance to try and mould them into a winning team.”

Abu Dhabi Sports Council are returning as an Official Partner of the event that has free general admission tickets available for all three days.

Ryder Cup 2023 player ratings