Howell and Donald World Cup favourites
The format of two foursomes and two fourball sessions suit the English pair and they will take beating. That said, despite the absence of all the leading Americans and European number one Colin Montgomerie, there is still a considerable amount of talent among the 24 nations who are hunting the $4 million prize fund.
Among the more fancied pairs are Padraig Harrington and Paul McGinley of Ireland who continue a partnership that began back in 1997 when they captured the title for this country for the second time at Kiawah Island.
