US stars snub golf World Cup

America’s 11 highest-ranked golfers have all turned down the chance to take part in the World Cup in China in November.

Their 12th man Nick Watney has agreed to play but who will be his partner has yet to be announced.

Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell are representing Ireland in the absence of Padraig Harrington and Ian Poulter and Ross Fisher team up for England, but, with no players in the world’s top 100, Scotland and Wales both have to take part in the qualifier in Estonia next month.

The 11 from the United States who have rejected the €3.8m tournament are Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Kenny Perry, Steve Stricker, Jim Furyk, Sean O’Hair, Anthony Kim, Lucas Glover, Zach Johnson, Stewart Cink and Ben Curtis.