Ryder Cup captain Darren Clarke was confident he’d be richer by the experience of leading the Rest of the World side in the two-day Icons Cup when he leads defending champions Europe against United States at Hazeltine next year.
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The popular Northern Irishman has been tasked with ensuring that Europe keep up their winning streak since 2010, and he will get the tiniest of dress rehearsal of his responsibilities next year when his Rest of the World side take on the Fred Couples-led Team USA in the two-day Ryder Cup-style sports celebrities golf tournament at Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club.
“This is a totally different thing. This is fun and you are dealing with legendary sport stars from all over the world,” said Clarke.
“What I will be able to pick this week from these guys is that they have all been winners in their careers and if there is anything that I can learn from them to help me in any small way, I am going to do that.
Welcome to Dubai @iconscup @DarrenClarke60 @luisfigo @Robbie9Fowler @EricDickerson pic.twitter.com/lve1e3BqHZ
— Emirates Airline (@emirates) April 22, 2015
“The Ryder Cup is something that I am very excited about. There is a lot that goes behind the scenes as well.
“The Americans are looking stronger and stronger with young guys like Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed coming through.
“They would be hard to beat, and if I can pick up little bits and pieces from all the champions on my team as to what made them so good, it would be of great help.”
The Rest of the World team includes India’s Kapil Dev (cricket), Portugal’s Luis Figo (football), England’s Robbie Fowler (football), Australia’s George Gregan (rugby), West Indies’ Brian Lara (cricket), Ireland’s Brian O’Driscoll (rugby), Scotland’s Kenny Dalglish (football), Ukraine’s Andriy Shevchenko (football), England’s Mike Tindall (rugby), Australia’s Shane Warne (cricket) and Trinidad and Tobago’s Dwight Yorke (football).
Couples’ Team USA have Ray Allen (NBA All Star), Tom Glavine (baseball Hall of Fame), Mike Modano (NHL All Star), Marcus Allen (NFL MVP), Russ Ortiz (baseball All Star), Ken Griffey Jr (baseball All Star), Greg Maddux (baseball All Star), Brett Hull (NHL All Star), Eric Dickerson (NFL – Hall of Fame) and Oscar De La Hoya (boxing world champion).
Beautiful day on the 1st Tee @DubaiCreekGolf for the @iconscup pic.twitter.com/zazJ1MmzzN
— Dubai Creek Golf (@DubaiCreekGolf) April 22, 2015
When asked who was the strongest player in his side, Couples was quick to point out NHL legend Brett Hull.
“The important thing for me is that all the players on my team love golf and play golf all the time. The handicap doesn’t really matter,” said the 1992 Masters champion.
“My best players, obviously, would be the ones with lower handicaps. Brett Hull plays to scratch and I have played with him in a club event and lost to him.”
Clarke felt Ukrainian football star Andriy Shevchenko would be his team’s Rory McIlroy.
“I think our strongest guy would be Sheva. I have played a lot with Sheva and he has got a proper OCD about his golf. (Dwight) Yorke is off three, so he is going to be very strong,” said Clarke.
“I really think handicap is just a very medium reflection of what these guys are capable of.
Impressive start to @iconscup week in Dubai already. More tonight @DubaiOneTV 19:30. pic.twitter.com/rthHsgKv6F
— Graham Clews (@GrahamClews) April 22, 2015
“Some guys will play great the next two days, some won’t. But they will have fun, and they will compete hard. There is a lot of pride involved.”
Tournament Director Adrian Flaherty said that Icons Cup would become an annual fixture, with the venue alternating between the USA and other countries.
As of now, the plans are to host the 2016 event in America, and bring it back to the UAE in 2017.
The entry for fans is free, but they will have to register at www.iconscup.com/admissions/.
