While the Team Cup will likely be long forgotten by the time the first tee shot is hit at the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black, there were a number of players who appeared to do their chances of featuring in New York no harm at all this week.
Ultimately, it proved to be a comfortable win for Great Britain and Ireland in the Team Cup. Justin Rose‘s men led from the first day, and kept their foot on the accelerator to ensure that they comfortably won every session in Abu Dhabi.
Luke Donald would have been particularly encouraged to see the likes of Tommy Fleetwood and Tyrrell Hatton impress. It is hard to imagine either player not being in his team in September due to the quality and experience they provide.
But which other players sent a message to the European captain ahead of the Ryder Cup? Here is a look at three…
Three European stars who would have impressed Luke Donald at the Team Cup
Tom McKibbin
There was plenty of talk surrounding Tom McKibbin heading into the week. McKibbin looks to be joining LIV Golf, but he put all that talk to one side to win three of the four matches he played in Abu Dhabi.
What was particularly intriguing was that McKibbin won alongside three different partners over the first two days – including potential future Legion XIII teammate Hatton.
Laurie Canter
While Laurie Canter did lose on Saturday morning, and he has not got a PGA Tour card for this season, he appears to be determined to do all he can to stake his claim to Donald.
The Englishman won 6&4 on Saturday afternoon alongside Paul Waring, while he secured the biggest victory of the Sunday singles against Romain Langasque to take GB&I to within a point of victory. That competitive spirit will not have gone unnoticed by Donald. And do not be surprised to see Canter give qualification a real go on the DP World Tour this year.
It should be noted that Waring also gave a brilliant account of himself and is potentially unlucky to not make this list.
Matthieu Pavon
Of the handful of points Continental Europe won, Matthieu Pavon clinched three of them. In fact, he probably would have gone four for four had he played anyone else other than Tommy Fleetwood in the Sunday singles.
He has certainly been backed to be in the Ryder Cup team.
“It’s been a phenomenal performance. This guy has just impressed, he’s done no harm to his cause. He’ll be off to Torrey Pines in a few weeks to defend around a wonderful golf course. This guy’s a proper player. The European Ryder Cup team should be proud because this guy will do you proud, if he does get to Bethpage Black,” Wayne Riley said on Sky Sports.
“It was a great. Matt’s an unbelievable golfer as he proves all the time. And I enjoyed playing against him, I really did,” Fleetwood claimed after his win.
With a PGA Tour win under his belt and an impressive showing at last year’s US Open, Pavon is perhaps the most likely debutant on the European side heading into Bethpage.
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