The inaugural Hero Cup kicks off today in Abu Dhabi, with Waterford's Seamus Power hoping to stake a claim for a place at the Ryder Cup.
This tournament is designed to give Team Europe hopefuls the chance to play in a team match-play setting ahead of the big event in Rome this September.
Team Europe Captain Luke Donald will be watching closely as the Great Britain and Irish selection go up against a team of continental Europeans.
The two ten-man teams will go head-to-head across one session of fourballs on Friday, two sessions of foursomes on Saturday and Finally, one session of singles matches will take place on Sunday.
The Touraneena ma, Power, started his year with the Sentry Tournament of Champions last weekend where he finished tied for 25th. His final round on Sunday was his most steady of the weekend, where he avoided dropping a shot over the 18 holes.
Ranked 29th in the world and top of the FedEx Cup standings, Power is a real live contender to be playing for Team Europe in Rome this September. Captain Donald will need to see something he likes from his potential selectees this weekend and Power is going to have to show that he can cut it in a team format, saying "We don't play much [match play] anymore, but a lot of the stuff we played growing up was a lot of match play. It's just a different game, everything feels a little different" he said.
Power continued to say that he's looking forward to getting a feel of the team-orientated play which is something that's an entirely new experience to the Waterford man.
Asked about the Ryder Cup and what it would mean to play for Team Europe, Seamus says that he can only his hopes on what others have told him, but those who have taken on the States over the years have been telling him that it's a buzz like no other, "I've talked to players who have won and done everything in golf" he said, "They'll tell you that the first tee in the Ryder Cup and the team atmosphere, there is just nothing like it.
"You hear guys talking about all the stuff they've done around the world and they still say their best memories are Ryder Cup stuff. Just hearing that from guys who have done a lot more than me - and more than I will ever do in golf - makes you want it that much more".
