Ferguson and Macintyre both picked for Hero Cup

Scottish duo Ewen Ferguson and Bob Macintyre have both been picked to play for Great Britain and Ireland in the new Hero Cup in Abu Dhabi in January.

They are among eight players named so far to join captain Tommy Fleetwood in the event against a Continental Europe team that is being led by Francesco Molinari.

In addition to Fleetwood, Ferguson and Macintyre will join forces with Irish duo Shane Lowry and Seamus Power as well as Englishmen Tyrrell Hatton, Callum Shinkwin, Jordan Smith and Matt Wallace.

A tenth and final player has still to be confirmed by European captain Luke Donald, who is using the event to run the rule over players in a team environment ahead of next year’s Ryder Cup in Rome.

The Englishman has also named nine players so for the Continental Europe side, with Dundee-based Frenchman Victor Perez on that list. It also includes Rasmus Hojgaard but not his twin brother, with Molinari also set to be joined by Thomas Detry, Adrian Meronk, Guido Migliozzi, Akex Noren, Thomas Pieters and Sepp Straka.

Donald said: “Having worked closely with Tommy and Fran on building the two teams, I’m delighted with the mix of players who will be on show at Abu Dhabi Golf Club in January.

“We all thought it was important to combine experience and youthfulness and I think we have found that balance with a mixture of major champions and Ryder Cup players, alongside guys who are hoping to secure a spot in Rome next year.”

Ferguson has been rewarded for finishing in the top 20 in the 2022 DP World Tour Rankings after winning twice in his rookie season.

Macintyre, inset, who ended up just behind his compatriot in the standings, just missed out out on the last Ryder Cup. The Oban man is hoping to secure a return to Marco Simone Golf Club, where he won the Italian Open in September.