Haikou, Hainan: Five Major winners including – reigning Masters victor Charl Schwartzel and US Open champion Rory McIlroy – will represent their countries along with title holders Edoardo and Francesco Molinari of Italy after the 18 exempt nations for the 2011 Omega Mission Hills World Cup confirmed their pairings ahead of the dateline yesterday.
Schwartzel is joined in a strong South African line-up by 2010 Open Champion Louis Oosthuizen while McIlroy will reprise his partnership with last year’s US Open champion Graeme McDowell will look to go one step better than their runner-up finish two years ago in this year’s edition at the Mission Hills Resort Hainan in China, from November 24-27
Last year’s US PGA Champion Martin Kaymer of Germany will have Alex Cejka as his partner for the fourth successive time, the combination having finished sixth in 2007, fifth in 2008 and sixth in 2009.
In Asia, Japan’s Yuta Ikeda joins forces with Tetsuji Hiratsuka while Thongchai Jaidee competes for Thailand alongside Kiradech Aphibarnrat while China, as the host nation, also qualify automatically and will be represented on Hainan Island by Lian Wen-chong and Zhang Xinjun. New Zealand, Singapore and South Korea are the other three qualifiers from this region.
Matt Kuchar and his partner Gary Woodland will shoulder the American challenge and both men recognise the honour and privilege of representing the Stars and Stripes.
“It’s exciting to think about the World Cup and representing the United States. Any time you put on a uniform that has the Stars and Stripes on it gives any American player a special feeling and to be part of a two man team that represents the United States of America only once every two years is a fantastic opportunity and I am very much excited about being part of it,” said Kuchar.
“It means a lot to me to represent the United States. I do a lot with our military charities and getting a chance to play for the USA means more than I can describe. Matt is a very consistent player, always in play. Hopefully it pans out pretty well. I have a little length to add to it, so hopefully I can drive it out there, he can knock it close and we both get our putters going and we can make a lot of birdies,” shared Woodland.
England’s Ian Poulter has named his close friend Justin Rose to fly the English flag, four years after they finished fourth on their only appearance as a double act at the original Mission Hills Resort in Shenzen. “I am very much looking forward to returning to the World Cup and representing my country once again. I’m a very patriotic guy and the chance to play for England on the world stage is one that I always relish,” said Poulter.
“Everyone who knows me knows how much I enjoy the different aspect that team events bring to golf. I love the head-to-head element of The Ryder Cup but I also really enjoy the format of the World Cup.”
Rose was equally enthusiastic and commented: “Obviously I am really excited to play with Poults, as our friendship goes way back and we had good run in the World Cup once before.
“I think the World Cup would be a great tournament to have on your CV and we are going there to win it, no doubt about that. For me it is the kind of tournament that if you say you have won the World Cup it sounds prestigious – it is prestigious, and I think we have as good a shot as anybody in the competition.”
Robert Karlsson, a player with a powerful World Cup pedigree, returns to China with a new partner in Alexander Noren, the recent winner of the Nordea Masters in his native Sweden. Karlsson, the former European number one captured the title with Henrik Stenson in 2008 and the same combination shared second place with Ireland two years ago.
Spain’s Alvaro Quiros has nominated the veteran Miguel Angel Jiménez as his ally with Martin Laird and Stephen Gallacher representing 2007 champions Scotland, and Jamie Donaldson and Rhys Davies linking up under the banner of Wales.
The Molinari siblings are joined in the field by another set of brothers, Camilo and Manuel Villegas from Colombia, while Denmark’s Anders Hansen, third in the recent US PGA Championship, has elected to play with Thomas Björn for Denmark.
Germany – Martin Kaymer and Alex Cejka
Ireland – Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell
United States – Matt Kuchar and Gary Woodland
South Africa – Charl Schwartzel and Louis Oosthuizen
England – Ian Poulter and Justin Rose
Sweden – Robert Karlsson and Alex Noren
Italy – Francesco Molinari and Edoardo Molinari
Spain – Alvaro Quiros and Miguel Angel Jiménez
Scotland – Martin Laird and Stephen Gallacher
Denmark – Anders Hansen and Thomas Björn
France – Raphaël Jacquelin and Gregory Bourdy
Japan – Yuta Ikeda and Tetsuji Hiratsuka
Australia – Brendan Jones and Richard Green
Belgium – Nicolas Colsaerts and Jérôme Theunis
Colombia – Camilo Villegas and Manuel Villegas
Wales – Jamie Donaldson and Rhys Davies
Thailand – Thongchai Jaidee and Kiradech Aphibarnrat
Zimbabwe – Brendon de Jonge and Bruce McDonald
China (Host Nation) – Lians Wen-chong and Zhang Xinjun
