Twenty-two European Tour Members, including Masters champion Danny Willett, have committed to play in the 58th edition of the World Cup of Golf, which will feature a world-class and diverse field of 28 two-man teams at Kingston Heath Golf Club, in Melbourne, from November 24 to 27.
Willett, his playing partner and World Cup debutant Lee Westwood, and Westwood’s fellow Ryder Cup stars Francesco Molinari, Nicolas Colsaerts, Jamie Donaldson and Victor Dubuisson will play for national pride as the tournament reverts to its previous team format.
The two members of each team will combine in fourballs and foursomes competition in Australia, where the defending champions will be represented by World Number One Jason Day and his fellow Major winner, Adam Scott.
While the highest-ranked players from their respective countries have officially qualified and committed to the World Cup of Golf, players have until August 26 to choose their playing partners.
Some players – such as World Number 19 Russell Knox of Scotland – have opted to do so already; while others – like Korean Byeong Hun An, Spaniard Rafa Cabrera Bello, Ireland’s Shane Lowry And American World Number Six, Bubba Watson – will take more time in deciding their team-mates.
Willett said: “It’s always great to represent your country. You don’t get the chance to do it too often so I’m excited about playing the World Cup. I was at Royal Melbourne in 2013, and although I didn’t play as well as I would’ve liked, it was a cracking course and I’ve heard Kingston Heath is just as good.
“It’s a different format this time so I’m really looking forward to playing with Westy [Lee Westwood].
He has played in nine Ryder Cups and has unbelievable experience of foursomes and fourballs, so I couldn’t have picked a better partner. Danny Willett
His compatriot Westwood echoed those sentiments, saying: “I’ve never played the World Cup before so this will be a first for me. Over the past couple of years Danny has shown what he’s capable of and I’ve got no doubt he’s going to prove a great partner, so I’m looking forward to pairing up with him.
“I’ve always enjoyed team golf. It’s an exciting format and it adds to the occasion when you’re playing for your country, so hopefully we can bring the trophy home with us.”
Knox, who will be partnered by Duncan Stewart, said: “I can’t wait. I’ve never been to Australia, so it’s super exciting to get the chance to go there. I’ve heard the golf course is one of the best in the world, so it will be fun. And to represent Scotland is obviously a dream come true.”
An, the 2015 BMW PGA Champion who recently represented his native country in the Olympic Games, is also relishing his first visit to Australia.
He said: “It’s always great, and I take pride in representing my country. There will be a little less pressure than the Olympics, but it is definitely an event that I want to play well in. It will be my first time playing in Australia. I remember watching the Presidents Cup in Australia, and thinking that I hope to play there some day.”
Shane Lowry, who competed at Royal Melbourne two years ago, is hoping to secure a second World Cup success for Ireland, following victory for Padraig Harrington and Paul McGinley in 1997.
He said: “I’m very excited and looking forward to the team format with foursomes and four-balls.
“John Senden told me Kingston Heath is the best course in Australia, so if that’s the case it should be pretty good. The par threes down there on the sandbelt courses are some of the best par threes in the world.
“And Melbourne is a great city, I spent a week there a couple of years ago and we were treated really well, so I’m looking forward to going back.”
Top-ranked Day and the world’s seventh best player Scott will be hot favourites to retain their title following their popular home victory in 2013.
Day said: “My victory at the 2013 World Cup was a kick-start to a phenomenal stretch of golf for me.
“I’m really looking forward to the new team format with Adam. I can’t imagine a better scenario than to represent Australia with one of my good mates at Kingston Heath, which is one of my all-time favourite courses.”
Other European Members who have so far committed to the World Cup of Golf are Sweden’s Alex Noren, Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee, the Danish duo of Søren Kjeldsen and Thorbjørn Olesen, Italy’s Francesco Molinari, Austrian Bernd Wiesberger, the Belgian pair of Thomas Pieters and Nicolas Colsaerts, Dutchman Joost Luiten, South African Jaco Van Zyl, Welshman Jamie Donaldson, France’s Victor Dubuisson, Fijian Vijay Singh, Portugal’s Ricardo Gouveia, Wu Ashun of China and Paraguay’s Fabrizio Zanotti.
