Final line-ups confirmed for inaugural Hero Cup

HERO CUP: Shane Lowry will compete in the inaugural Hero Cup in January. Pic: AP Photo/Fernando Llano

European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald has selected Antoine Rozner and Richard Mansell as the final players for their respective Continental Europe and Great Britain and Ireland teams as preparations continue ahead of next year’s inaugural Hero Cup in Abu Dhabi from January 13-15.

Francesco Molinari and Tommy Fleetwood will both compete as playing captains.

Donald announced 18 players at the end of November following the conclusion of the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai.

The former World Number One left one position vacant in both teams for players to impress in the final stages of the DP World Tour calendar season and on Wednesday he confirmed the full roster of 20 players.

Rozner joins Molinari and his Continental Europe teammates after he claimed his third DP World Tour title in as many years with a five-shot victory at the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open on Sunday.

Mansell will join the Great Britain and Ireland team, led by two-time Ryder Cup player Fleetwood, after enjoying his best season to date on the DP World Tour. The 27-year-old finished 44th on the Rankings in a year which, despite limited starts, included two third-place finishes and four further top tens.

Donald, the 2023 European Ryder Cup Captain, said: “With less than a month to go until the Hero Cup, I’m delighted to have our full roster of 20 players confirmed and excited to have Antoine and Richard joining their respective teams at Abu Dhabi Golf Club.

“We have a fantastic mix of Major Champions and Ryder Cup players, alongside those who are hoping to secure their debut for Team Europe in Rome next September, and the Hero Cup will provide me with a fantastic opportunity to see how these players adapt and react in a team environment.” 

Molinari, the Continental Europe Captain and 2018 Open Champion, said: “It’s great to have our team finalised for the Hero Cup and I’m looking forward to leading this talented group of players. Being part of a team is something I have enjoyed immensely in my career and I’m sure all of our players will be looking forward to the week, including Antoine, who played some incredible golf last week to win his title in Mauritius.” 

Fleetwood, who partnered Molinari at the Ryder Cup in 2018 to deliver four points for Europe and recently sealed his sixth DP World Tour victory at the Nedbank Golf Championship, said: “I am really pleased with the group of players who form our Great Britain and Ireland team for next year. Richard is a terrific addition after his best season on the DP World Tour and I’m just really excited to get out there in a few weeks’ time with this group.”

Continental Europe: Francesco Molinari (C), Thomas Detry, Rasmus Højgaard, Adrian Meronk, Guido Migliozzi, Alex Noren, Victor Perez, Thomas Pieters, Antoine Rozner, Sepp Straka.

Great Britain & Ireland: Tommy Fleetwood (C), Ewen Ferguson, Tyrrell Hatton, Shane Lowry, Robert MacIntyre, Richard Mansell, Seamus Power, Callum Shinkwin, Jordan Smith, Matt Wallace.