US Open Champion Rory McIlroy and Masters winner Charl Schwartzel have confirmed their participation in this year’s OMEGA Mission Hills World Cup, which also sees Italian brothers Edoardo and Francesco Molinari defend their title.
The event moves to the new Mission Hills Resort on Hainan Island from November 24-27, and Irishman McIlroy and South African Schwartzel, ranked fifth and tenth respectively on the Official World Golf Ranking, are excited at the prospect of trying to lower the Italian colours in China.
McIlroy has selected close friend and World Number 12 Graeme McDowell, the 2010 US Open Champion, as his partner to try and go one better after the pair came up short one stroke behind the Molinaris in 2009.
Meanwhile, friendship was the factor behind Schwartzel, who won his first Major at Augusta National in April, selecting last year’s Open Champion Louis Oosthuizen as his partner in the OMEGA Mission Hills World Cup, which has now become a biennial event on the world golfing calendar.
Eighteen exempt nations out of the 28 participating at Hainan Island have confirmed their entry, with their partners to be confirmed by August 22. Nine more nations will qualify via the Regional Qualifiers in Asia, Europe and South America, with the top three from each gaining exemption. As the host nation, China qualifies automatically for the OMEGA Mission Hills World Cup to complete the field.
Francesco Molinari, the highest ranked Italian at Number 23 in the world, could have selected Matteo Manassero (30th) as his partner, but opted for brother Edoardo (43rd) for Italy’s challenge to retain their crown on Hainan Island.
Another reigning Major Champion, World Number Three Martin Kaymer, will represent Germany hoping to emulate his country’s victory in Barbados in 2006 when Bernhard Langer and Marcel Siem triumphed.
England’s Ian Poulter and America’s Matt Kuchar have also confirmed their intention to chase World Cup glory, and both will select their partners at a later date.
Sweden’s Robert Karlsson, who partnered Henrik Stenson to victory at the original Mission Hills Resort in 2008 and finished joint runners-up with Ireland in 2009, is a confirmed participant once again, as are Alvaro Quiros of Spain, Scotland’s Martin Laird, Anders Hansen of Denmark – who has selected Thomas Björn as his partner – Raphaël Jacquelin of France, Brendan Jones and Richard Green (Australia), Nicolas Colsaerts and Jerome Theunis (Belgium), Camilo Villegas and his brother Manuel (Colombia) and Jamie Donaldson and Rhys Davies (Wales).
McIlroy said: “Graeme and I really enjoyed the experience at Mission Hills two years ago, when we came close to winning the title. We only missed out by a shot, and are looking forward to forming the Irish team again and trying to go one better this time.”
McDowell added: “I was delighted when Rory selected me to be his partner again. There is nothing quite like representing Europe in The Ryder Cup or Ireland in the World Cup – It’s a real buzz. We worked well as a partnership two years ago, and we can’t wait to try to claim the title at Hainan Island.”
Masters Champion Schwartzel named Oosthuizen as his partner, and said: “Louis and I always said that whichever one of us was higher in the World Ranking at the cut-off would select the other. We played a lot together as youngsters and I always looked up to Louis, so it’s a great opportunity for us to represent our country at Mission Hills Resort and try to win the World Cup for South Africa.”
CONFIRMED TEAMS Player 1 Player 2
Germany Martin Kaymer TBC
Ireland Rory McIlroy Graeme McDowell
USA Matt Kuchar TBC
South Africa Charl Schwartzel Louis Oosthuizen
England Ian Poulter TBC
Sweden Robert Karlsson TBC
Italy Francesco Molinari Edoardo Molinari
Spain Alvaro Quiros TBC
Scotland Martin Laird TBC
Denmark Anders Hansen Thomas Björn
Japan Yuta Ikeda Tetsuji Hiratsuka
France Raphaël Jacquelin TBC
Australia Brendan Jones Richard Green
Belgium Nicolas Colsaerts Jérôme Theunis
Colombia Camilo Villegas Manuel Villegas
Wales Jamie Donaldson Rhys Davies
Thailand Thongchai Jaidee TBC
Zimbabwe Brendon de Jonge TBC
ABOUT OMEGA
Since it was founded in 1848, OMEGA has been defined by its pioneering spirit and its innovative watchmaking. OMEGA is closely involved with a world of achievements including the conquest of space and the oceans’ depths, unparalleled experience in sports timekeeping and the establishment of more records for accuracy than any other watch brand. OMEGA is also a Main Partner in the Solar Impulse project, which aims to circle the globe in an airplane powered only by the sun. The brand's Co-Axial movements are widely considered to be among the world’s finest.
ABOUT MISSION HILLS HAINAN
Mission Hills Hainan lies on the volcanic region of exotic Hainan Island, China. The resort sets a new standard in leisure, recreation and wellness experiences. Nestled amid lush, green gardens, the resort caters to golf enthusiasts and comprises specially-designed golf courses, each one incorporating the native lava rock formations. Other state-of-the-art features include 518 tastefully appointed guest rooms and suites, a three-storey clubhouse, meeting facilities, 12 world-class restaurants, a fully-equipped sports and recreation centre, Hainan’s only aquatic theme park, therapeutic natural mineral springs, a spa oasis and a shopping arcade. A magnificent addition to Hainan’s tropical island paradise, Mission Hills Hainan is poised to be the island’s premier sanctuary, attracting visitors from around the globe. Conveniently located in Haikou city, the administrative and legislative hub of Hainan, Mission Hills Hainan is just 15 minutes from the city centre and Haikou Meilan International Airport.
ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL GOLF ASSOCIATION
Established by industrialist John Jay Hopkins in 1953, the International Golf Association has pursued the mission of “International Goodwill through Golf” for over 50 years. As the owner of the World Cup name, IGA has sanctioned the world's most prestigious international team golf competition throughout six decades. IGA is governed by its Board of Directors, which includes Chairman Jonathan S. Linen (Advisor to the Chairman, American Express), Deane R. Beman (Former PGA TOUR Commissioner), J. B. McCoy (Retired Chairman, Bank One Corporation) and Bill Souders (Former Executive Vice-President and Director, Xerox Corporation).
ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF PGA TOURS
The International Federation of PGA Tours, formed in 1996, was created to enhance the competitive structure of professional golf worldwide while preserving the traditions and strengths of the six member Tours. The member Tours are the Asian Tour, European Tour, Japan Golf Tour, PGA TOUR, PGA Tour of Australasia and Sunshine Tour. The Canadian Tour and the Tour de las Americas are Associate Members of the Federation. Three major initiatives were outlined: the formation of the International Federation of PGA Tours; joint sanctioning by the members of the International Federation of PGA Tours of significant competitions for the game's top players; and a structure for a generally accepted worldwide ranking system.
