Justin Rose's Great Britain And Ireland Cruise to Victory in Team Cup

As expected, Justin Rose’s GB&I team cruised to an overwhelming 17-8 victory over Continental Europe in the Team Cup at Abu Dhabi Golf Resort.

The honour of securing the two points needed went to Laurie Canter and Tommy Fleetwood.

Rose, who beat Julien Guerrier 3&2, said: "I’ve loved the challenge, loved the experience of it, and the lads have made me look incredibly good at it! The way they played was first class. We had one clear message which was to get on the front foot, to try to be relentless, to play wave after wave.

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"Playing on a big lead, everybody felt like we could get the job done but just to focus on individual and personal pride. The leaderboard early in the round was astonishing, really. Every credit to Continental Europe and Francesco (Molinari, the European captain). The team as a whole fought to the very end and clawed back a few points.

"The whole matches were played in such a great spirit but my team definitely holed the right putts at the right time and won most of those key matches."

The result was a formality after Rose's side went into the final day with an 11-4 lead, needing 13 points for victory, after winning the first two sessions 3½ -1½ and Saturday afternoon’s foursomes 4-1.

Fleetwood dominated Matthieu Pavon and secured his point shortly after Canter wrapped up a 5&4 win over Romain Langasque.

Tyrrell Hatton beat Thorbjorn Olesen 3&1 to make it 14-4 and GB&I were up in all but one of the matches remaining on the course.

Pavon was tasked with leading out Continental Europe against Fleetwood in what was a hopeless quest.

Both players sent their opening approaches close, Pavon making birdie and Fleetwood following him in..

The Englishman holed from 50 feet for birdie to win the second while behind them, Canter chipped in to win the first against Langasque meaning both Frenchmen were behind in their matches for the first time all week.

When Hatton won the second against Olesen, there was a familiar look to the scoreboard with a quick finish in prospect.

Great Britain & Ireland Captain Rose won his first two holes against Guerrier while Matthew Jordan eagled the second against Niklas Norgaard and Paul Waring took an early lead against Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen.

Olesen hit back to lead against Hatton and Antoine Rozner won the first against Matt Wallace but when Fleetwood went three up - and seven under par through seven holes - the momentum remained with GB&I.

He dropped a shot to lose the next but with Hatton and Wallace level, GB&I were up in five games and tied in four as the Aaron Rai and Rasmus Hojgaard teed off in the final match.

Continental Europe Captain Francesco Molinari won the second and third holes against Jordan Smith and was the only member of his team leading his match.

Langasque needed a penalty drop out of a cactus on the ninth as Canter restored his lead and then went two up at the next. Fleetwood moved three up ahead after the 11th and GB&I were leading in the first seven matches until Norgaard levelled against Jordan.

Canter closed out a 5&4 win and when Fleetwood and Hatton each went two up with two to play, securing half-points, victory was assured.

Pavon found trouble at the 17th and was unable to escape a bunker - and with Fleetwood on the green, the Frenchman conceded and Great Britain & Ireland's victory was confirmed.

Fleetwood, who won all four of his points across the week, said: "It obviously feels great, what an unbelievable group of lads we had this week and an unbelievable captain so just a pleasure to be a part of it.

"Everybody just played so well. I always find it very motivating and inspiring being around the lads in a team environment, you want to get best out of yourself. Happy that we got it done this time and sure we’ll enjoy it later."

Hatton matched Fleetwood's 3&1 win and Rose beat Guerrier 3&2, though Norgaard beat Jordan 3&2 to avoid a complete whitewash for Continental Europe.