Prize money at the DP World Tour's BMW PGA Championship 2023. (Photo: Getty)
The BMW PGA Championship, which is not only part of the Rolex Series but is also considered the flagship event of the DP World Tour, will pay out a total of $9 million in prize money. The tournament takes place at Wentworth, the home of the European Tour. 79 players made it into the weekend, and the prize money will be split among those players. The winner will receive 1.5 million dollar.
DP World Tour: Prize money at the BMW PGA Championship
Padraig Harrinton and Shane Lowry tee up at the DP World Tour's irish Open. (Photo: Getty)
Former champions Pádraig Harrington and Shane Lowry can’t wait to tee it up in front of the home crowds as they return to The K Club for the Horizon Irish Open on the DP World Tour.
Irish Open at the K Club
Harrington ended a more than 30 year wait for an Irish winner when he claimed the coveted title at Adare Manor in 2007, while Lowry made history two years later when he became the first amateur to win the event at County Louth.
Lowry arrives at The K Club buoyed by his recent selection as part of Luke Donald’s European Ryder Cup team set to compete at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club in three weeks’ time, with Harrington also in a rich vein of form after capturing his fifth title on PGA TOUR Champions three months ago.
The pair are part of a world class field teeing it up as the Horizon Irish Open returns to The K Club for the first time since 2016. The tournament will also be played at the County Kildare venue in 2025 and 2027, with 2027 marking the 100th anniversary of the first staging of the event.
Both players are committed to raising money for the tournament’s Official Charity Make-A-Wish Ireland, with each pledging to donate €500 for every birdie and €1,000 for every eagle they card during the week as part of the fundraising efforts.
DP World Tour Player Quotes
Pádraig Harrington: “This is very close to my home. I spent most of my summer practice down here, so very familiar. This is very close to my home. This is where I do my practice when I’m at home. Love the fact that we’ll have the Irish fans out as I expect – not because of the weather, but because we haven’t had a got in this area for a while. The crowds are going to be big, enormous. The support is going to be brilliant. The weather is going to be great. All we really have to do as the Irish golfers is play a bit of good golf.
“For a tournament, there’s so many exciting shots on the course. You can remember Rory’s second into what we call the 16th of the championship course and the 18th, but the 16th is that one that was an incredible golf shot. There’s so many risk-reward, do-or-die shots out here. It’s a fabulous golf course to come and play, and I’ve got to say, the Smurfits were very good to me, and Michael Fetherston has carried that on. It’s unbelievable how welcome he makes the pros and the young players when they come down here and lets us have the run of the place.”
Shane Lowry: “I think it’s going to be an amazing week. Forecast is very good. Golf course is great. We’ve got a great field here. It’s very exciting to be here. It’s always one of my favourite events to play, obviously, and with it being so close to home this year, as well, it’s extra special, so it’s nice.
“Obviously there are certain years where you get bad weather where people maybe don’t show up as much as you’d like, even though you get great crowds all the time, but I fully expect the crowds to be huge this week, and I think it’s going to be a great event.
“As I said to somebody earlier, it’s an amazing month to have ahead of you, to be honest. Obviously this week is our fifth major, and it really is – I do treat it like that, and then we have obviously I’m defending at Wentworth, which is one of my favourite events, next week, and then buildup for the Ryder Cup the week after that. Yeah, it’s kind of dream stuff and something that I’m looking forward to the challenge the next few weeks, and very excited for what it could bring.”
Luke Donald will tee up at the BMW International Open 2023. (Photo: BMW)
The BMW International Open will be held for the 34th time this year. Once again a very interesting field will gather at BMW Group’s headquarters for Germany’s most prestigious and most tradition-steeped pro golfing event. The tournament loved by spectators and athletes alike, thanks to its special atmosphere, will be held at Golfclub München Eichenried from 21st to 25th June 2023. This year, the Ryder Cup, taking place in Rome (ITA) in autumn with Worldwide Partner BMW, will also play an important role.
With only a few months to go until the unique duel between the best golfers in Europe and those of the defending champions, the USA, at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club, the Ryder Cup teams will slowly take shape, and the captains will become clearer on who they want as wild card picks. Europe’s captain Luke Donald will have the opportunity to take a look at a wide range of aspriants in Munich. The former world number one and two-time winner of the BMW PGA Championship will also be reaching for his clubs himself. The tournament’s huge significance for the Ryder Cup’s Team Europe is highlighted by the fact that all three vice captains – Thomas Bjørn (DEN, two-time BMW International Open champion), Edoardo Molinari (ITA) and Nicolas Colsaerts (BEL) – will be teeing off.
No doubt the quartet will be keeping a close eye on the many German players who have been attracting attention with excellent results on the two major world tours in recent months. Yannik Paul in third place on the “European Points List” would even qualify for the European team immediately as it stands. Paul won his first title on the DP World Tour (DPWT) last year, as did Max Kieffer, and both golfers will be in action in Munich. Matti Schmid, who made a splash on the PGA Tour when he finished in tied sixth place at “The American Express” in January, will also be teeing off in his home state of Bavaria.
In Marcel Siem, the player of the hour is returning to the golf club in which he grew up as the child of the then club restaurateurs. The 42-year-old not only recently reached the impressive milestone of 500 DPWT tournaments, he also won the Hero Indian Open last weekend, which saw him celebrate a title win once again, more than eight years after his last victory (BMW Masters). Alex Cejka, who has been enjoying success on the Champions Tour since 2020, has won two majors there, and is currently ranked seventh in the season standings, will return to Germany and the DPTW for the BMW International Open.
A range of younger European players who have increasingly attracted attention and will also be part of the field at Golfclub München Eichenried have good reason to hope for a spot on the Ryder Cup team. These include 21-year-old Danish twins Nicolai and Rasmus Højgaard, who with two and three DPWT wins to their name respectively have already proved they have what it takes on several occasions. In Abu Dhabi, France’s Victor Perez won the first Rolex Series tournament of the year, and his third title on the DPWT. The interesting quartet is rounded off by Robert MacIntyre of Scotland, who so far on the DPWT has won the “Rookie of the Year 2019” award and two tournaments.
Last year’s winner Li Haotong (CHN), whose emotional reaction to winning the play-off will be remembered for many years to come, will be looking to defend his title in June. Last year’s third-placed golfer, Ryan Fox, will also be teeing off again. The New Zealanders was presented with the Seve Ballesteros Award for the best DPWT player of the year after an incredible 2022 season – beating majors winners Rory McIlroy (NIR) and Matt Fitzpatrick (ENG) to win the award. Spectators can also look forward to seeing three players who are as successful as they are likeable and popular: the two Spaniards Rafa Cabrera Bello and Pablo Larrazábal (two-time BMW International Open champion) and Andrew “Beef” Johnston (ENG), who are also eager not to miss out on the BMW International Open.
Entry to the BMW International Open Pro-Am tournament is free on Wednesday 21st June 2023. Entry is free for children and young people up to the age of 16 on all days.
Day tickets and tournament tickets, as well as VIP tickets for the Fairway Club, are available to purchase online: www.bmw-golfsport.com/tickets
See the online ticket shop for further information on all ticket categories – and on concessions for young people over the age of 16, pupils, students, and people with disabilities.
Ryan Fox has won the 2022 Seve Ballesteros Award after being voted Player of the Year for last season by his fellow professionals on the DP World Tour.
The 36-year-old becomes the first New Zealander to win the prestigious award since Michael Campbell received the honour in 2005, and it comes after an outstanding season during which he won twice and finished in a career-best second place on the DP World Tour Rankings presented by Rolex.
Fox polled 50% of the votes cast in total by the DP World Tour members, with DP World Tour Rankings winner Rory McIlroy taking second place ahead of the 2022 U.S. Open Champion Matt Fitzpatrick in third.
The Kiwi was presented with the trophy by one of Seve’s sons Javier and his daughter Carmen, both of whom travelled to this week’s Hero Dubai Desert Classic on the DP World Tour – a tournament won by Seve himself in 1992 – to officially welcome Fox to the illustrious list of winners.
Consistently good performances in the 2022 season
Fox started 2022 in fine style, picking up his second DP World Tour title at the Ras al Khaimah Classic in February before an emotional victory at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in St Andrews in October.
The 2016 Challenge Tour graduate dedicated his victory at the Home of Golf to the late cricketing great Shane Warne, whom he paired up with in the popular Pro-Am format on numerous occasions, including finishing runners-up together in the 2021 contest.
In addition to his pair of victories, Fox showed remarkable consistency to notch up four second place finishes – at the Soudal Open, Dutch Open, Horizon Irish Open and the Nedbank Golf Challenge – as well as a further four top tens.
His excellent form led to a meteoric rise up the Official World Golf Ranking as he climbed from outside the top 200 into the world’s top 50 for the first time, peaking at a career-best 23rd after his victory at the Old Course.
The Player of the Year Award, named after the legendary Seve Ballesteros, last year amalgamated with the former Golfer of the Year award to become one singular honour voted for by the players, helping further commemorate the Spaniard’s incredible legacy.
Ryan Fox (center) next to Carmen and Javier Ballesteros. (Photo: Getty)
“It’s kind of surreal”
Fox said: “It’s probably not something that I expected ever in my career. I would like to say it’s something I dreamed of, but you look at those names on the trophy and I probably don’t count myself as one of those. That is pretty cool, and to have Javier and Carmen come out and present it made it even more special.
“Last year I thought I had a chance but a few other guys played pretty well, Rory, Matt, Jon Rahm, especially at the end of the year. So when Keith Pelley told me I was pretty shocked and obviously pretty chuffed as well. To have your peers vote for you makes it that extra bit special.
“Obviously Dunhill Links was a big highlight for me last year, to win around the Home of Golf, it doesn’t really get any better. I shared the experience with Shane Warne for the previous four or five Dunhills that I played, and it was a bit sad without him there last year. To honour him that way made it even more special.
“Seve is such an icon of golf, and I’m a bit of a golf nut. I knew the history of Seve but probably didn’t quite understand then, growing up in New Zealand, quite the influence he had over here. It’s cool to hear the stories from some of the older guys that played with him, but to have my name on the Seve Ballesteros Award, it’s kind of surreal. It’s pretty cool to be part of a little bit of history in that regard.”
Javier Ballesteros: “He’s a fantastic guy”
Keith Pelley, Chief Executive of the DP World Tour, said: “Ryan’s form throughout 2022 was nothing short of outstanding. His two wins were undoubtedly the highlight, but to record a further eight top tens shows a remarkable level of consistency that clearly impressed his peers.
“Ryan is not only an immensely popular member of the DP World Tour, but also someone who cares deeply for the Tour as is illustrated by the valuable work he does, and the intelligent opinions he offers, as a member of our Tournament Committee.
“I also want to say thank you to Javier and Carmen Ballesteros for making the effort to travel to Dubai to present the award to Ryan. It meant a lot to him and to every one of us at the DP World Tour to have them there to represent their father.”
Javier Ballesteros said: “Well, I’m very happy that Ryan got the award. I think it’s important that Ryan got it with two wins, and of course he played a full season on the DP World Tour. It left me very happy, considering he’s a fantastic guy as well.
“For me, it’s very important and we are very proud to have our father’s name on this award. It’s a prize that is given by the players and to have his name on the award, it’s a very good way to keep his legacy alive.”
With the much-anticipated return of the 2023 Rolex Series, the attention of the golfing world will turn to the iconic Hero Dubai Desert Classic – the second Rolex Series event of the year. Celebrating its 34th edition, the 2023 tournament promises to be a thrilling contest with Rolex as Official Partner and Timekeeper.
Spanning more than 50 years, Rolex’s support for golf is one of the most enduring and successful partnerships in sport. The Swiss watchmaker’s relationship with the game began in 1967 when Arnold Palmer, joined by close friends and fellow members of The Big Three, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player, became Rolex’s first golf Testimonees. Since then, Rolex’s association with golf has grown exponentially, permeating all levels of the sport, providing unwavering support for elite and amateur players alike, governing bodies, all the Major championships and the main professional tours, as well as the finest events on the golfing calendar.
Founded in 1989, the Hero Dubai Desert Classic was the first DP World Tour event to be staged in the Arabian Peninsula. Rolex became Official Timekeeper of the DP World Tour in 1997 and the event became part of the prestigious Rolex Series – the tour’s premium event category – in 2022. It is renowned for having one of the strongest and most international fields, proving a tough competition for the world’s leading golfers.
The flagship Majlis Course at Emirates Golf Club, with its distinct backdrop of shimmering skyscrapers, once again hosts the Hero Dubai Desert Classic from 26-29 January. With the 2023 Ryder Cup on the horizon and qualifying spots to play for, the 2023 tournament presents a timely opportunity for players to find form early in the season.
2023 is set to welcome some of the biggest names in world golf and Rolex Testimonees have a proud history of success in Dubai. Those to have prevailed on the Majlis Course and lift the coveted Dallah Trophy include Fred Couples (1995), José María Olazábal (1998), Thomas Bjørn (2001), Tiger Woods (2006, 2008) and most recently, Rafa Cabrera Bello (2012). Fellow Spaniard and Rolex Testimonee Jon Rahm enjoyed an impressive finish to the 2022 season, which saw him claim a record third DP World Tour Championship title in Dubai at the nearby Jumeirah Golf Estates in November.
Speaking about the Rolex Series, Rahm said: “I have been fortunate enough to win Rolex Series events pretty early on in my career. Given the prize money and strength of field at these events, they always demand an extremely high level of golf and performance. As a Rolex Testimonee, there is also added motivation because you want to make sure a Rolex Testimonee wins. Hopefully, the Rolex Series will continue for a very long time due to its prestige and the fact that it represents such key moments throughout the year for us players to focus on in the calendar.”
2023 also marks the return of the Race to Dubai Rankings in Partnership with Rolex and the sixth anniversary of the Rolex Series. The Hero Dubai Desert Classic is the second of five Rolex Series events held throughout the year. The Series consists of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship (19-22 January), the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, the Genesis Scottish Open (13-16 July), the BMW PGA Championship (14-17 September), and the season-ending DP World Tour Championship, Dubai (16-19 November).
The IGF was founded in 1958 and is the recognised International Federation within the Olympic and Paralympic Movement.
Keith Pelley wants to present golf as a “sport for all”
Pelley said: “I am very honoured to accept this important and prestigious role and I look forward to working with Annika and Antony Scanlon, the IGF’s Executive Director, as well as the individual member Federations and Tours, to continue to develop our sport globally.
“I have always said that I believe golf is the most inclusive of all sports and the IGF, through its relationships with these member organisations and the Olympic and Paralympic Movement, undoubtedly has an important part to play in promoting this internationally and showcasing golf as a sport for all.”
Antony Scanlon, Executive Director of the IGF, said: “We are grateful for the leadership of Keith Pelley and Annika Sörenstam as we continue to encourage the international development of the sport of golf.
“As two prominent members in the international golf landscape, Keith and Annika will bring extensive experience and knowledge to our overall strategy and we are thrilled to have them in these key roles. I also want to thank PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan for his tenure as the IGF Chairman and we’re delighted to have him continue on the Board moving forward.”
In August 2015, Pelley became the fourth Chief Executive in the 50 year history of the European Tour group, which incorporates the DP World Tour, the European Challenge Tour, the Legends Tour and the G4D Tour, and is the Managing Partner of the Ryder Cup in Europe.
During his time in the role, the Canadian has overseen a period of significant evolution through the European Tour group’s commitment to Driving Golf Further and its guiding principles of being innovative, inclusive and global.
This includes the introduction of the Rolex Series, a landmark partnership which saw DP World become the title partner of the group’s main Tour, and the creation of a global pathway system through partnerships with international Tours and an operational joint venture with the PGA TOUR. The latter partnership also led to the Genesis Scottish Open becoming the historic first co-sanctioned event between the two Tours this summer.
Pelley has also overseen a closer collaboration with the women’s game, including co-sanctioned events such as the Volvo Cars Scandinavian Mixed, and the introduction of the ground-breaking G4D Tour (Golf for the Disabled) in conjunction with the European Disabled Golf Association (EDGA), of which he is a Board member.
Prior to joining the European Tour group, Pelley was President of Rogers Media in Toronto where he was responsible for leading the overall operations of the company’s diverse portfolio. Before that, he was Executive Vice President of Strategic Planning at CTVglobemedia, President of Canada’s Olympic Broadcast Media Consortium, President and CEO of the Toronto Argonauts Football Club and President of The Sports Network in Canada.
Sörenstam, who has 97 worldwide professional victories during her prestigious playing career, was re-elected for a second two-year term as IGF President, which she’ll serve from 2023-2024.
During her 15-year, Hall-of-Fame playing career, Sörenstam rewrote the LPGA and Ladies European Tour record books, won countless awards and changed the way women’s golf was played, viewed and covered. In 2007, she created the ANNIKA Foundation, which provides golf opportunities at the junior, collegiate and professional levels while teaching young people the importance of living a healthy, active lifestyle through fitness and nutrition.
Bernard Kuhnt (left) and Guy Kinnings (right). (Photo: BMW Group)
The DP World Tour and BMW Group have signed an extension to their partnership that will see the leading premium automotive brand BMW remain an Official Partner, and the Official Car, of the DP World Tour until the end of the 2027 season.
As part of the agreement, BMW will also remain as Title Partner until 2027 of both the BMW PGA Championship – a Rolex Series event – and the BMW International Open, where it will remain the promoter of the tournament.
This partnership extension cements BMW as one of the Tour’s longest standing partners. The relationship dates back to 1989, when BMW ran and promoted the first BMW International Open in its hometown of Munich. BMW then became Title Partner of the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth in 2005.
BMW Group underpins position as global partner in golf
As an Official Tour Partner, BMW will benefit from highly visible branding and product placement at DP World Tour tournaments each season and across the Tour’s media and digital platforms. BMW will also enjoy access to the Tour’s premium hospitality services and Pro-Ams to create unique customer experiences. As Official Car of the DP World Tour, BMW will continue to supply its luxury high end and fully electric vehicles to the DP World Tour and make a valuable contribution to a sustainable tournament experience for players, staff and fans.
“The close collaboration with the European Tour group, which started back in 1989 with the inaugural BMW International Open, played an important role in the BMW Group becoming one of the most reliable and dedicated partners in international golf. We are delighted to continue along this successful path with the DP World Tour, and to bring innovative developments to both the sport and our events,” said Bernhard Kuhnt, Senior Vice President BMW Group Europe. “The BMW International Open and the BMW PGA Championship are tournaments that are very popular with golf fans and players alike, thanks to their long tradition and the excellent sporting and BMW brand experience. Based in two core markets in Europe, these events will form important pillars of our worldwide commitment to golf going forward.”
Guy Kinnings, Deputy Chief Executive and Chief Commercial Officer of the European Tour group, added: “The BMW brand stands for luxury, innovation, and sportiness – all values that closely match our own and the Tour benefits significantly from partnering with such an iconic brand and respected partner of the game of golf. Over the last 33 years we have developed an extremely close working relationship that continues to drive strong value to BMW’s global engagement in sport. With this extended partnership, we will have ample opportunities to use the DP World Tour to showcase both their range of products and our collective leadership credentials in passion areas such as sustainability and technology innovation.
Together, we will also make sure that the BMW PGA Championship and BMW International Open keep innovating to elevate the fan experience and continue to be key moments on the sporting and entertainment calendars in Germany and the UK each year.”
Top three JGTO finishers to receive DP World Tour membership
The DP World Tour and PGA TOUR jointly announced today a new landmark partnership with the Japan Golf Tour Organization (JGTO) that will see the top three players on the JGTO Order of Merit earn membership onto the DP World Tour for the ensuing season, beginning with the 2022-23 campaign.
The formal pathway further enhances the existing global pathway system, as the leading 10 players on DP World Tour’s Race To Dubai Rankings [in addition to those already exempt] will earn cards on the PGA TOUR, beginning with the 2024 season, as part of the operational joint venture partnership between the PGA TOUR and DP World Tour announced in June.
“We are delighted to establish this formal pathway” – Keith Pelley (CEO, DP World Tour)
In addition to these new formal pathways, which also includes access to DP World Tour Qualifying School for leading players not otherwise exempt, the JGTO will work alongside the DP World Tour and PGA TOUR on other key business areas, including strategic development and commercial growth, as well as further discussion about future areas of collaboration and support. Among those is a continued commitment to the ISPS HANDA – CHAMPIONSHIP, which is set to make its debut on the DP World Tour schedule next April 20-23, 2023, at PGM Ishioka GC in Omitama, Japan.
Keith Pelley, Chief Executive Officer of the DP World Tour, said, “The Japan Golf Tour Organization has produced many incredibly talented players over the years, and we are delighted to establish this formal pathway as part of golf’s meritocratic system, defining clear routes for players from the other international Tours to earn status on the DP World Tour and potentially go on to play on the PGA TOUR.
“There are players from 34 different countries exempt on the DP World Tour in 2023 and, alongside our first tournament in Japan next April, today’s announcement further underlines our position as golf’s global Tour.”
Monahan sees the PGA Tour as “game’s highest stage”
Jay Monahan, Commissioner of the PGA TOUR, said: “Japan has a long, storied history of producing world-class golf talent that deserves the opportunity to compete on the game’s highest stage, and today’s announcement is recognition of that. Over the past 30 years, 25 players have claimed at least one victory on both the PGA TOUR and Japan Golf Tour, including current Japan Golf Tour Chairman Isao Aoki, who in 1983 became the first Japanese-born player to win on the PGA TOUR when he holed out for eagle on the 72nd hole to win the Sony Open in Hawaii. His legacy continues today with eight-time JGTO winner Hideki Matsuyama and will now endure for years to come under this new pathway.”
Isao Aoki, Chairman of the Japan Golf Tour Organization, said, “We are proud of the rich tradition the Japan men’s golf tour has established over the last 40 years, and this development is the next step in the journey of our organization. Our players have made significant contributions to the global game since our tour’s inception in 1973, and we are excited that the next class of Japanese players will soon be able to reap the rewards that their predecessors helped create for them. We are looking forward to working with both the PGA TOUR and DP World Tour on the next era of professional golf development in Japan.”
Luke Donald is the captain of Europe at the 2023 Ryder Cup. (Photo: Getty)
European Ryder Cup Captain Luke Donald has announced 18 players, including an exciting mix of Ryder Cup stars, Major Champions and the most promising young players in world golf, to make up the Continental Europe and Great Britain and Ireland teams for next year’s Hero Cup in Abu Dhabi from January 13-15.
In consultation with the respective Hero Cup Captains Tommy Fleetwood and Francesco Molinari, who will both compete as playing Captains, Donald confirmed the teams for next year’s match play contest at Abu Dhabi Golf Club, with one remaining position for each team to be allocated at the conclusion of the DP World Tour calendar year.
Match Play Tournament on the DP World Tour
Donald and Molinari have constructed a strong mix of proven winners with Sweden’s Alex Noren and Belgium’s Thomas Pieters bringing Ryder Cup experience to the Continental Europe ranks one week before the Belgian defends his Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship title at Yas Links.
Molinari’s team will be completed by a host of exciting young players including Austrian Sepp Straka, who won his maiden PGA TOUR title at The Honda Classic in 2022, three-time DP World Tour winner Rasmus Højgaard, two-time winner Victor Perez and Adrian Meronk, who became the first Polish player to win on the DP World Tour when he claimed the 2022 Horizon Irish Open.
Belgium’s Thomas Detry has also enjoyed a strong start to his rookie PGA TOUR season finishing in the top-12 in three of the five events played – including second place in the Butterfield Bermuda Championship – and has six top-15 finishes on the DP World Tour. He is joined by three-time DP World Tour winner Guido Migliozzi, who claimed the biggest victory of his career in September at the Cazoo Open de France.
The Great Britain and Ireland team, led by two-time Ryder Cup player Fleetwood, boasts 2019 Open Champion Shane Lowry and four-time Rolex Series winner Tyrrell Hatton amongst its ranks.
They will be joined by a stream of Ryder Cup hopefuls including Irishman Séamus Power, who has enjoyed a stunning start to the 2023 PGA TOUR season and currently leads the FedEx Cup Standings, and DP World Tour winners Ewen Ferguson, Robert MacIntyre, Callum Shinkwin, Jordan Smith and Matt Wallace.
Luke Donald wants to “combine experience and youthfulness”
Donald, the 2023 European Ryder Cup Captain, 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.”
Prep at the highest level
Molinari, the Continental Europe Captain and 2018 Open Champion, said: “Our team is packed full of exciting players who all have the attributes to excel in a match play contest and I’m excited to lead them into the Hero Cup next year.
“Some of our younger players have already shown incredible maturity in high-pressured situations and proved they can perform in big moments, so giving them the opportunity to compete on this stage alongside the likes of Alex Noren and Thomas Pieters will be really important at the beginning of what could be a big year for them.”
Fleetwood leads the island Europeans
Fleetwood, who combined with Molinari to collect four points from four matches at the 2018 Ryder Cup in France, said: “I am really pleased with the players who will form the Great Britain and Ireland team next year.
“Having the experience of Shane and Tyrrell will be invaluable for the rest of the team in a match play environment but I think we are really strong throughout the team. We have proven winners in some of the biggest DP World Tour events and it will be great to have Séámus with us following his excellent start to the season in America.”
Dr Pawan Munjal, Chairman and CEO, Hero MotoCorp, said: “We are delighted to see the best of emerging talent from Europe together with established Major Champions and Ryder Cup stars at the upcoming Hero Cup in January. It is going to be a fantastic week of top class golf and a keen tussle on the course between these two strong teams.”
Last season's best rookie on the DP World Tour: Thriston Lawrence from South Africa. (Photo: Getty)
Thriston Lawrence has become the first South African to be crowned Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year, after a breakthrough season on the DP World Tour that included two wins, six further top tens and a Major debut.
DP World Tour: Lawrence celebrated two victories in debut season
A previous winner on the Sunshine Tour, the 25 year old made the perfect start to the 2022 season with victory in the opening tournament – and the first since the European Tour became the DP World Tour – at the co-sanctioned Joburg Open, where he is defending his title this week.
His breakthrough victory not only secured a DP World Tour exemption, it also led to his first appearance in a Major as part of The Open Qualifying Series, and he went on to finish inside the top 50 at the historic 150th Open at St Andrews.
A first professional victory on European soil followed in August when he secured the Omega European Masters title in a play-off triumph over England’s Matt Wallace at the iconic Golf Club Crans Montana in Switzerland.
That win led to another landmark, as he moved inside the top 100 in the Official World Golf Ranking for the first time in his career.
“A dream come true”
Lawrence racked up six further top tens, including a tied second finish at the Magical Kenya Open presented by Absa and third place at the Horizon Irish Open, on the way to finishing 14th in the DP World Tour’s season-long rankings.
“It’s a dream come true. If you look at the names on the trophy, it’s incredible. A year ago I didn’t even have a category, so when I started off with a victory, it came to mind straight away to go for this award. To have accomplished it is an incredible feeling – I’m very grateful and honoured,” said Lawrence.
“It was very special to get the first win at the Joburg Open. This was where my life changing dream started, and I’m honoured to be defending here this week.
“That win opened up so many doors for me. It gave me a winner’s category, gave me the chance to play big events like the Rolex Series and my first Major at St Andrews, where golf started.
First South African as Rookie of the Year
“Winning twice was incredible, and it’s not where I want to end. It’s a balance between being strict on yourself, sticking to your routine, having good support behind you. It’s not just me, it’s a whole bigger team. Onwards and upwards from here.”
Keith Pelley, the DP World Tour’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “I would like to congratulate Thriston on being named Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year after a truly memorable debut season.
“Our Tour has been graced by many fantastic players from South Africa over the years, which makes it even more special that Thriston is the first of his countrymen to win this award and join the prestigious list of international winners. We look forward to watching his career unfold on the DP World Tour in the years ahead.”
“He didn’t take his foot off the gas”
David Howell, Chairman of the Tournament Committee, said: “Thriston is a worthy winner of the Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year Award and, on behalf of the Tournament Committee, I would like to congratulate him on a fantastic season.
“Winning the first event of the season opened up so many doors for him, but he didn’t take his foot off the gas, and it was a great achievement to follow that up with another win in such a historic event just a few months later.
“I’m sure there is more to come, and I look forward to seeing Thriston on Tour in the coming seasons.”
