Antoine Rozner will be hoping he can pick up from where he left off last year as he looks to demonstrate his match play credentials for Continental Europe against Great Britain & Ireland at the Hero Cup.
The Frenchman produced an impressive display of front-running to win his third DP World Tour title in as many years at the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open in December.
That performance caught the eye of European Ryder Cup Captain Luke Donald as days later he was selected to complete the ten-strong roster in the Continental Europe ranks in Abu Dhabi.
Rozner has not played any team golf since his amateur days but believes he is ready for the challenge that awaits at Abu Dhabi Golf Club.
“I’m really looking forward to it.” he said. “It's been a while since I've played some team events.
“I think the last time was an amateur for the Arnold Palmer Cup, six years ago. I'm really looking forward to it. I love team stuff and can't wait to get it started with the other boys.
“Match play is a lot different than stroke play.
“There is a lot of strategy and I kind of like this. It helps me stay in the moment, stay in the strategy of the hole.”
Both teams boast a blend of experience and youth and Rozner is hoping the bonds being built between the Continental Europe players will help bring about strong performances.
“We have got a good mix in the team with experience with Francesco, Alex Noren, guys like that,” he said.
“We also have a new group of guys, guys that I've known for a while. We grew up together and played on Challenge Tour together.
“Now that we are all here together, it's pretty fun and cool. Really looking forward to it.
“We have a good atmosphere in the team room.”
Rozner is not the only Frenchman on show, with Victor Perez also looking to help Continental Europe playing captain Francesco Molinari lift the trophy come Sunday.
The format of the event will see five sets of four-balls, ten sets of foursomes and ten singles matches, with every player competing in every session across three days of competition.
With individual ambitions put somewhat to one side this week, Perez is looking forward to going head-to-head against a host of players who regularly play against each other on the DP World Tour.
“It's a competitive, relaxed [atmosphere] I think is the best way to put it,” the two-time DP World Tour winner said.
“Both sides know that we are fortunate to be here.
“We have earned our qualification fair but at the same time it's not like life or death like a Ryder Cup might feel and there's maybe not as much hatred towards the other side.
“But equally, we are all competitors and when the bell is going to ring tomorrow, I think everybody is going to be ready to go.”
