The DP World Tour has announced the creation of a new team match play event aimed at giving European players experience in the format ahead of potential future Ryder Cup appearances.
Two 10-man teams comprising players from Great Britain & Ireland and Continental Europe will be selected by European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald, with the event taking place at Abu Dhabi Golf Club from January 13-15, 2023.
Donald will work with both teams in Abu Dhabi and will keep a close eye on the action inside the ropes across the three days, with the two team captains to be announced in due course.
The match, which closely resembles the Seve Trophy, which was held eight times from 2000 to 2013, will consist of one session of foursomes, one session of fourballs and one session of singles matches, with all 20 players taking part in each session.
The two teams will be confirmed following the conclusion of the 2022 DP World Tour Championship in Dubai, with performance on the DP World Tour rankings considered in the player selection process.
“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,” Donald said. “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.”
Guy Kinnings, European Ryder Cup Director, 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.”
The new event extends Hero MotoCorp’s long-term relationship with the European Tour Group, which began at the 2015 Hero Indian Open. Since then, Hero MotoCorp, the world’s largest manufacturer of motorcycles, has also supported the Hero Challenge, as well as the Hero Open, held at Fairmont St Andrews the last two years.
Dr Pawan Munjal, Hero MotorCorp’s chairman & CEO said: “We have always supported innovation in golf and this new team match play event on the DP World Tour is certainly an interesting format. We are happy to extend our long-term partnership with the European Tour Group. I am sure the Hero Cup will support and provide an opportunity to the talented European players to showcase their incredible skill to a global audience. We are excited to be part of this.”