With exactly 200 days to go until the start of the 2011 Omega Mission Hills World Cup the excitement is beginning to grow for one of golf’s most prestigious events.
Many of the game’s greats – Ben Hogan, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Seve Ballesteros, Tiger Woods, Ernie Els and Bernhard Langer, to name but a few – have won the World Cup for their countries, and from November 24 – 27, 56players from 28 nations will descend on Mission Hills Hainan, China to compete for a US$7.5million prize fund.
It will be the first time the Omega Mission Hills World Cup has taken place in Hainan, a stunning tropical island in the South China Sea which is rapidly becoming a golfing mecca with its world class courses.
Two years ago brothers Edoardo and Francesco Molinari took Italy to a maiden victory in the competition, which now takes place every other year instead of annually, heightening the sense of anticipation and excitement.
The pair carded a four under par 68 in the final round foursomes to finish on 29 under, one shot ahead of the Irish duo of Graeme McDowell and Rory McIlroy and Sweden’s Robert Karlsson and HenrikStenson.
The victory capped a stunning season for Edoardo, who finished top of the Challenge Tour Rankings with three wins and record earnings, and for both players the World Cup win proved to be the catalyst for even greater achievements in 2010.
Between them they won three European Tour titles – Francesco at the WGC-HSBC Champions and Edoardo at the Barclays Scottish Open and the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles - and in October they helped Europe to Ryder Cup glory over the United States.
Recalling the victory at Mission Hills Golf Club, Shenzhen, China, Franceso said: “Winning the Omega Mission Hills World Cup was great for Edoardo and me and fantastic for Italy.
“We were playing against some of the best golfers in the world which makes winning even better. It was a very tough final day, right up until the end, so to see it out and end up with the trophy was extremely satisfying and gives us great pride.
“I holed two big putts on the 12th and 13th for birdie which was probably the key moment, and from there we just had to hold on. Of course, it was a pleasure to play alongside my brother and win a title like that for our country.
“The World Cup is a huge event in golf and I very much hope I can be part of it again this year to defend the title. Italian golf is enjoying a good spell at the moment with me, Edoardo and MatteoManassero all playing well. Whoever gets the chance to go to China in November will be doing their best to make sure the trophy stays in Italian hands.”
Edoardo added: “It was just great to be part of such a fantastic tournament which has so much history and has been won by so many great names. To add our names to that list of champions is a big honour.
“We played very well and I hope I am able to qualify for this year’s competition and give everything to successfully defend the title. That would be very special.”
Eighteen of the 28 participating countries will be confirmed at the end of July, when the leading 18 players in the Official World Golf Ranking must confirm their entry. 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 qualify automatically for the World Cup to complete the field.
ABOUT OMEGA
The prestige watch manufacturer OMEGA was founded in Switzerland in 1848 and since then has continually set the pace in many fields of watchmaking, from sports timekeeping and design awards to watches for professional use in space or underwater. OMEGA is closely associated with a world of achievements including the conquest of space, timekeeping at 24 Olympic Games and numerous precision records as well as the launch in 1999 of the first series-produced wristwatch to be equipped with the revolutionary Co-Axial escapement, one of the most important innovations in mechanical watchmaking in more than two centuries. Co-Axial technology now drives the majority of OMEGA’s mechanical watches.
OMEGA was Official Timekeeper for the 24th time at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games. The brand is currently preparing to assume the same role in London in 2012, Sochi in 2014 and Rio de Janeiro in 2016.
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 center, 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 center 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 fifty 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.
