Dubai Creek the host as ‘Hall of Famers’ take on ‘Legends’ for the inaugural Icons Cup

Team Rest of the World and Team USA do battle on Thursday in the inaugural Icons Cup, a two-day golf exhibition event containing some of the most prominent sports stars of yesteryear.

Icons Cup captains Darren Clarke, left, and Fred Couples, right. Pawan Singh / The National

Team Rest of the World and Team USA do battle in the inaugural Icons Cup on Thursday, a two-day golf exhibition featuring some of the most prominent stars of yesteryear, writes John McAuley.

Darren Clarke — ROTW captain

“For us to go up against Freddie’s team, of them all Hall of Famers, it’s going to be a really interesting week. It’s what we’ve done for a living for a long time, but to have legendary sports stars like we have on both teams is going to be really exciting. Doing what we do, we all want to win. Sportsmen all want to win. I’m sure this will be no different.”

Fred Couples — USA captain

“The whole thing is such a remarkable event. They’ve legends on their side and we’ve Hall of Famers on ours. I go to basketball or baseball games every chance I get and for me it’s fun just be around these people. These guys play golf every day, for them it’s their peace. For Darren and I, our peace is to go watch them play and now we’re here together, we get to root together and have fun.”

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Shane Warne — ROTW

“I started playing golf around 14 or 15. I just love it. My passion has increased over the years, where sometimes I can play OK. It’s great to get away from your day-to-day life, but also challenge yourself to become the best player you can possibly be. We all want to play better and that’s why we keep striving to go back to play.”

Ray Allen — USA

“I’ve been on that constant quest for perfection, which you never reach in golf. You can only find that next best shot, or that moment you beat your guys in a match-play situation. So that’s been my love. I continue to do it every single day, to try to swing like these guys do on TV. When I put down my basketball and take off my tennis shoes, I pick up my golf club and am able to relax and compete at the same time.”

Luis Figo — ROTW

“My golf’s stopped the last few weeks because I’m in the process of the Fifa candidacy ... But golf is a sport I love to play. When you’re not in total control you don’t have all the confidence you should have, like when I played football. That was my territory. It’s a competitive game, because you play against yourself to try to improve. Technically, it’s very difficult, but we try to do our best.”

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