Icons Cup 2015: USA vs ROTW (Rest of the World)

Can Fred Couples and Team USA beat Darren Clarke’s International team of athletes?

Kate Stromberg | Photos/Images courtesy of Buffalo Brand Invigoration Group

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – April 22nd through 24th, Team USA will take on Team ROTW (Rest of the World) in the first-ever Icons Cup—a Ryder Cup-style tournament at Jumeirah Golf Estates’ Earth Course.

Photo: Jumeirah Golf Estates, Earth Course #18

Setting itself apart from other celebrity golf tournaments, this star-studded event will exclusively feature low-handicap athletes from around the world. Recently added to Team USA were NBA legend Ray Allen and MLB Hall of Famer Greg Maddux.

Allen, a well-known avid golfer who appeared on Golf Digest’s 2009 list of top athlete golfers, seems to have been working on his game during his retirement. Listed in 2009 at a 4.8 index, he has shaved three strokes off and is now listed at 1.7 on GHIN.com.

In addition to Maddux, Allen’s teammates will be former baseball stars Ken Griffey Jr. and Tom Glavine, and NHL legends Mike Modano and Brett Hull.

However, the mega-watt celebrity status may not be the only reason to tune in. The team captains—each of whom were considered for Ryder Cup captaincy, one of whom was appointed—may be the matchup to watch. How will Freddie’s laid-back leadership approach play out against Clarke’s self-described “OCD” style? Are the differing approaches why Team USA still has six team spots to fill (with less than a month to go)?

We’ll keep you updated on announcements in the coming weeks. But for now – who are your bets on?

Format

Day 1: Morning foursomes (alternate shot) followed by 12 singles matches
Day 2: 12 singles matches

Team USA, Captain: Fred Couples

Ray Allen
Greg Maddux
Ken Griffey Jr.
Tom Glavine
Brett Hull
Mike Modano
Kelly Slater — added 3/30/15
Marcus Allen — added 4/1/15
Eric Dickerson — added 4/1/15
+ Additional 3 players TBD

Team Rest of the World (ROTW), Captain: Darren Clarke

Gabriel Batistuta, Luis Figo, Robbie Fowler, Andriy Shevchenko and Dwight Yorke (football)
Kapil Dev, Brian Lara and Shane Warne (cricket)
George Gregan, Brian O’Driscoll and Mike Tindall, MBE (rugby)
Sir Steve Redgrave (Olympic rowing)

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