Continental Europe lead GB&I by 2 points
10 SINGLES MATCHES TO TAKE PLACE ON FINAL DAY
Team Continental Europe, captained by Francesco Molinari, lead Team Great Britain & Ireland, captained by Tommy Fleetwood, by two points, 8 ½ to 6 ½, after Day 2, which featured two sessions of foursomes matches in the Hero Cup on the DP World Tour over the National Course at Abu Dhabi Golf Club.
Following on from the 3-2 overnight score to Continental Europe the morning session finished 2 ½ points a side with three of the five matches going to the 18th green.
The halved match was Match 1 where Thomas Pieters & Alex Noren (Continental Europe) halved with Ewen Ferguson & Richard Mansell (GB&I).
In the afternoon session Captain Molinari along with partner Nicolai Hojgaard secured their second point of the day.
Captain Fleetwood also won two points on the day, with Tyrrell Hatton in the morning and Jordan Smith in the afternoon.
Tight matches
The match was tied 6 ½ points each, with the two final afternoon foursomes matches still out on the course, which were both narrowly won by Continental Europe. Both days, in this three day ‘Team Europe Ryder Cup rehearsal,’ have been tight, with none of the 20 players in the event winning all three of their points and eight of the matches being decided on the 18th hole.
Molinari and Hojgaard have been paired together for all three matches and remain unbeaten having halved yesterday’s fourball match. “A couple of matches could have gone either way,” said Fleetwood.
“We ended the day two points behind, but two points behind is fine and we have a full, single session to go. We can reflect on today and we’ll all sit in the team room and we’ll be talking about our rounds and everything, but overall we go out and get a fast start tomorrow, we’re straight back in the game.”
Molinari added: “I think all the matches have been really close so far which is great to see. It’s definitely a really competitive, fair spirit. I think it’s been a great success so far. Obviously to make it a success for us, my team, we need to go out tomorrow and play some really good golf.”
Day 3 today sees 10 singles matches with the winning team the first to get to 13 points.