Tom McKibbin came away from day one of the Team Cup Abu Dhabi Golf Resort with a point on the board for Great Britain and Ireland as they opened up a 3.5-1.5 lead over Continental Europe heading into the weekend.
McKibbin played alongside Tyrrell Hatton in the Friday fourballs session and their mix of youth and experience blended nicely as they eased to a 3&2 win over Antoine Rozner and Julien Guerrier.
If European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald was taking notes on the opening day’s play, the solidity and dovetailing ability of McKibbin and Hatton would have been pleasing for the Englishman.
“It was great, just to get out there and play with Tyrrell who is very experienced in these sorts of situations which was cool. He played lovely and took the pressure off me on some of the shots,” said McKibbin who is making his debut in the event and playing his first matchplay competition as a professional.
GB&I, looking to win the cup for the first time in just the second edition of this team event, are skippered by Justin Rose, but there was no captain fantastic storyline as he and Matt Wallace were beaten 3&1 by French duo Matthieu Pavon and Romain Langasque in the top match before McKibbin and Hatton quickly levelled affairs.
A win on 18 for Jordan Smith and Laurie Canter over Rasmus Hojgaard and Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen quickly turned the tables in favour of GB&I before a comprehensive 4&2 win for Tommy Fleetwood and Aaron Rai over Italian pair Francesco Molinari (C. Eur captain) and Matteo Manassero ensured that GB&I would lead after day one.
The pairing of Fleetwood and Rai would not look out of place in Bethpage Black in September.
Half points often prove crucial and Rose will be delighted that his side secured a potentially vital share of the spoils to preserve their two point lead after Matthew Jordan and Paul Waring claimed a half point against Thorbjorn Olesen and Niklas Norgaard after a ding dong battle.
Waring had birdied the 15th to draw himself and Jordan level before Waring’s nerveless par putt left it all square again going down the last where the spoils were shared.
GB&I captain Rose was delighted with how his charges responded from a difficult start to take a two point advantage into the Saturday foursomes.
“I’m really pleased with that, because some of the key messaging around the Ryder Cup is to get off to a fast start and I did notice that there was too much blue on the board for my liking of which I was contributing to as well unfortunately.
“The team really rallied well. Laurie and Jordan closed it out beautifully on 17 and 18 and Paul Waring holing a great putt to halve the hole on 17 and Matty Jordan with a great up and down on 18 to halve the match when Thorbjorn had hit two great shots in.
“They played the 18th well to really make the most of the day I think I would have snapped that up after nine holes today.”
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