McIlroy switches focus to World Cup
As Ireland’s highest world ranked player (6th), Pádraig Harrington could have led his country’s challenge but instead handed the opportunity to Rory McIlroy (10th) and he chose fellow Ulsterman Graeme McDowell as his partner. They are quoted second favourites at 5/1 behind England’s Ross Fisher and Ian Poulter, (4/1); ahead of holders Sweden (Robert Karlsson and Henrik Stenson), (6/1); Spain (Sergio Garcia and Gonzalo Fernadez Castano), (9/1); and Australia (Stuart Appleby and Robert Allenby), (10/1).
McDowell made his debut in the event last year alongside Paul McGinley (they finished 16th) but his form of late has been disappointing. He is 51st in the world rankings, one place outside those receiving an invitation to next year’s Masters at Augusta.
On current form, there is no doubt that McIlroy is the stronger of the duo with McDowell, who is all of 30 years of age, ruefully forced to admit that: “it is nice of Rory to take pity on an old guy. We talked about the World Cup early in the season and Rory said he’d play if I would play with him.
“Hopefully we will enjoy the type of relationship that Pádraig Harrington had with Paul McGinley when they won the World Cup.’’
McIlroy is looking forward to renewing his Vivendi/Seve Trophy partnership with McDowell. They won three of their four fourball/foursomes matches for Britain & Ireland against Continental Europe in Paris in September and look to have the requirements to win a tournament that incorporates fourballs and foursomes over the first three days before the final round of singles on Sunday.
“It’s going to be fantastic playing with Graeme,” McIlroy enthused. “He is one of my best friends on Tour. Our caddies (JP Fitzgerald and Ken Comboy) get on really well and room together most weeks. My dad, Gerry, and Graeme’s dad, Kenny, are coming out as well so it will be a great week and we will really enjoy it and give it a good go.”
Ireland have twice won the World Cup – in Mexico City in 1958 and Kiawah Island, South Carolina, in 1997. Christy O’Connor Snr, who made 15 appearances and partnered Harry Bradshaw to the 1958 triumph, represented Ireland in the World Cup more than any other player while Christy O’Connor Jnr played for Ireland six times. And once, in 1975, uncle and nephew joined forces and finished 14th.
There was a time when every country – and especially the Americans – wanted to win the World Cup. Nowadays, it doesn’t figure on the US radar. Without exception, the big names have thumbed their noses at the event with the result that their team consists of Nick Watney and the little-known John Merrick.
Contrast that with 1956 when the legendary Ben Hogan and Sam Snead won at Wentworth or 1960 at Portmarnock where golf in this country soared in popularity after Arnold Palmer and Snead produced a majestic performance.
Subsequently, other greats of the game like Jack Nicklaus, Lee Trevino, Johnny Miller, Hale Irwin and several others helped to swell the number of American victories to 23, a record by a comfortable margin. Their last success, however, came in 2000 when Tiger Woods and the then outstanding David Duval claimed the honours in Buenos Aires.
However, it’s far from doom and gloom where an event offering €3.7m in prize money is concerned and though the Americans might be indifferent but there are some strong teams in action at Mission Hills this week.
This week’s course was designed by Jose-Maria Olazabal. The complex encompasses more than 4,500 acres (18 square kilometres), roughly the equivalent of five of New York’s Central Parks. There are 12 courses at Mission Hills and the par 72 Olazabal lay-out stretches to 7,320 yards and is characterised by majestic views of jungle.
McDowell is familiar with the course from last year and insists: “It will suit Rory and I because of the way he drives the ball and the power he brings to our team.
“We will have a massive advantage on the par fives and I think we will be strong partners given the course set-up. It looks great and is the biggest golf resort on the planet so the whole experience of going to Mission Hills is awesome.”
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