Justin Rose’s squad dominated Team Cup 2025 golf in Abu Dhabi, clinching victory as Tommy Fleetwood secured the win in singles play

Francesco Molinari admitted that Continental Europe was outclassed by a dominant Great Britain & Ireland team, who claimed a commanding 17-8 victory in the Team Cup 2025 golf event. Captained by Justin Rose, GB&I excelled across all four sessions in Abu Dhabi, securing the title on Sunday with Tommy Fleetwood’s decisive singles win over Matthieu Pavon.

“Disappointed with the week, but fair play to GB&I—they played some great golf, especially on the greens,” admitted Molinari. “Our guys gave it everything, but their experience and quality shone through.”

Continental Europe faced setbacks, including Nicolai Højgaard’s withdrawal due to illness, disrupting the Højgaard brothers’ partnership. Julien Guerrier stepped in and performed admirably, but Molinari acknowledged the challenges.

“Losing Nicolai wasn’t ideal, and Thomas Björn, who should have been a vice-captain, was under the weather. A few things didn’t go our way,” Molinari reflected. “Still, it was great for our younger players to experience this atmosphere. We’ll be back stronger in two years.”

Despite the loss, Molinari ended on a high note, salvaging a dramatic birdie on the 18th to halve his match with Jordan Smith. Drawing inspiration from vice-captain José Maria Olazábal and the late Seve Ballesteros, Molinari said, “I told ‘Chema,’ ‘I need to channel my inner Seve to make four.’ It worked!”

Great Britain & Ireland celebrated their triumph, cementing their dominance in a week of outstanding golf.

Despite the defeat, Francesco Molinari remained optimistic about the future of Continental Europe’s team. He emphasized the importance of this experience for their younger players, who gained valuable exposure under pressure. “This was a learning curve for many of our guys, and we’ll use it to come back stronger in two years,” Molinari vowed, highlighting the potential for growth and resilience in the team’s journey ahead.