World Cup (men's golf) explained

The World Cup of Golf is a men's golf tournament contested by teams of two representing their country. Only one team is allowed from each country. The players are selected on the basis of the Official World Golf Ranking, although not all of the first choice players choose to compete. The equivalent event for women was the Women's World Cup of Golf, played from 2005 to 2008.

History

The tournament was founded by Canadian industrialist John Jay Hopkins, who hoped it would promote international goodwill through golf. It began in 1953 as the Canada Cup and changed its name to the World Cup in 1967.[1] With Fred Corcoran as the Tournament Director and the International Golf Association behind it (1955–1977), the World Cup traveled the globe and grew to be one of golf's most prestigious tournaments throughout the 1960s and 1970s, but interest in the event faded to the point that the event was not held in 1981 or 1986.

The tournament was incorporated into the World Golf Championships series from 2000 to 2006. In 2007 it ceased to be a World Golf Championships event, but continued to be sanctioned by the International Federation of PGA Tours.

From 2007 through 2009 the tournament was held at the Mission Hills Golf Club in Shenzhen, China, receiving the name Mission Hills World Cup. There was no tournament in 2010, it having been announced that the event would change from annual to biennial, held in odd-numbered years, to accommodate the 2016 inclusion of golf at the Olympics.[2] The 2011 tournament was at a new venue — Mission Hills Haikou in the Chinese island province of Hainan.[3]

The United States has a clear lead in wins, with 24 as of 2018.[4]

Format

In 1953, the format was 36 holes of stroke play with the combined score of the two-man team determining the winner. From 1954 to 1999, the format was 72 holes of stroke play. Beginning in 2000, the format became alternating stroke play rounds of bestball (fourball) and alternate shot (foursomes).

The 2013 tournament was primarily an individual event with a team component. The 60-player field was selected based on the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) with up to two players per country allowed to qualify (four per country if they are within the top 15 of the OWGR). The format returned to 72 holes of stroke play, with the individuals competing for US$7 million of the $8 million total purse. OWGR points were awarded for the first time. The top two-ranked players from each country competed for the team portion, using combined stroke play scores.[5] The individual portion was similar to what would be used at the 2016 Summer Olympics, except that England, Scotland, and Wales had teams instead of a single Great Britain team as in the Olympics,[6] [7] while Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland again played as a single team.[7]

In 2016, the format reverted to that used from 2000 to 2011.

From 1955 to 1999, there was also a separate award, the International Trophy, for the individual with the best 72-hole score.

Team winners

YearWinnersTeamLocationRunners-up
ISPS Handa Melbourne World Cup of Golf
Melbourne, AustraliaMarc Leishman and Cameron Smith
Abraham Ancer and Roberto Díaz
ISPS Handa World Cup of Golf
2017 No tournament
Melbourne, AustraliaLi Haotong and Wu Ashun
Victor Dubuisson and Romain Langasque
Rickie Fowler and Jimmy Walker
2014–2015 No tournament
Melbourne, AustraliaMatt Kuchar and Kevin Streelman
2012 No tournament
Omega Mission Hills World Cup[8]
2011Haikou, Hainan Island, ChinaIan Poulter and Justin Rose
Martin Kaymer and Alex Čejka
2010 No tournament
2009Shenzhen, China Henrik Stenson and Robert Karlsson
1Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell
2008Robert Karlsson and Henrik StensonShenzhen, ChinaMiguel Ángel Jiménez and Pablo Larrazábal
2007Colin Montgomerie and Marc WarrenShenzhen, ChinaHeath Slocum and Boo Weekley
WGC-World Cup
2006Sandy Lane Resort, BarbadosColin Montgomerie and Marc Warren
2005Stephen Dodd and Bradley DredgeAlgarve, PortugalLuke Donald and David Howell
Niclas Fasth and Henrik Stenson
2004Paul Casey and Luke DonaldSeville, SpainSergio García and Miguel Ángel Jiménez
2003Trevor Immelman and Rory SabbatiniKiawah Island, South Carolina, United StatesPaul Casey and Justin Rose
2002Toshimitsu Izawa and Shigeki MaruyamaPuerto Vallarta, MexicoPhil Mickelson and David Toms
2001Ernie Els and Retief GoosenGotemba, ShizuokaThomas Bjørn and Søren Hansen
Michael Campbell and David Smail
David Duval and Tiger Woods
2000David Duval and Tiger WoodsBuenos Aires, ArgentinaEduardo Romero and Ángel Cabrera
World Cup of Golf
1999Mark O'Meara and Tiger WoodsKuala Lumpur, MalaysiaSantiago Luna and Miguel Ángel Martín
1998David Carter and Nick FaldoAuckland, New ZealandMassimo Florioli and Costantino Rocca
1997Pádraig Harrington and Paul McGinleyKiawah Island, South Carolina, United StatesColin Montgomerie and Raymond Russell
1996Ernie Els and Wayne WestnerCape Town, South AfricaSteve Jones and Tom Lehman
1995Fred Couples and Davis Love IIIShenzhen, ChinaRobert Allenby and Steve Elkington
1994Fred Couples and Davis Love IIIDorado, Puerto RicoTony Johnstone and Mark McNulty
1993Fred Couples and Davis Love IIIOrlando, Florida, United StatesMark McNulty and Nick Price
World Cup
1992Fred Couples and Davis Love IIIMadrid, SpainAnders Forsbrand and Per-Ulrik Johansson
1991Anders Forsbrand and Per-Ulrik JohanssonRome, ItalyPhillip Price and Ian Woosnam
1990Torsten Giedeon and Bernhard LangerOrlando, Florida, United StatesRichard Boxall and Mark James
1David Feherty and Ronan Rafferty
1989Peter Fowler and Wayne GradyMarbella, SpainJosé María Cañizares and José María Olazábal
1988Ben Crenshaw and Mark McCumberMelbourne, AustraliaMasashi Ozaki and Tateo Ozaki
1987David Llewellyn and Ian WoosnamMaui, Hawaii, United StatesSandy Lyle and Sam Torrance
1986No tournament
1985Dave Barr and Dan HalldorsonLa Quinta, California, United StatesHoward Clark and Paul Way
1984José María Cañizares and José RiveroRome, ItalyGordon Brand Jnr and Sam Torrance
Hsieh Min-Nan and Chen Tze-chung
1983Rex Caldwell and John CookJakarta, IndonesiaTerry Gale and Wayne Grady
Jerry Anderson and Dave Barr
1982José María Cañizares and Manuel PiñeroAcapulco, MexicoBobby Clampett and Bob Gilder
1981No tournament
1980Dan Halldorson and Jim NelfordBogotá, ColombiaSandy Lyle and Steve Martin
1979Hale Irwin and John MahaffeyAthens, GreeceSandy Lyle and Ken Brown
1978John Mahaffey and Andy NorthHanalei, Hawaii, United StatesWayne Grady and Greg Norman
1977Seve Ballesteros and Antonio GarridoManila, PhilippinesBen Arda and Rudy Lavares
1976Seve Ballesteros and Manuel PiñeroPalm Springs, California, United StatesJerry Pate and Dave Stockton
1975Lou Graham and Johnny MillerBangkok, ThailandHsieh Min-Nan and Kuo Chie-Hsiung
1974Bobby Cole and Dale HayesCaracas, VenezuelaIsao Aoki and Masashi Ozaki
1973Johnny Miller and Jack NicklausMarbella, SpainHugh Baiocchi and Gary Player
1972Hsieh Min-Nan and Lu Liang-HuanMelbourne, AustraliaTakaaki Kono and Takashi Murakami
1971Jack Nicklaus and Lee TrevinoPalm Beach Gardens, Florida, United StatesHarold Henning and Gary Player
1970Bruce Devlin and David GrahamBuenos Aires, ArgentinaRoberto De Vicenzo and Vicente Fernández
1969Orville Moody and Lee TrevinoSingaporeTakaaki Kono and Haruo Yasuda
1968Al Balding and George KnudsonRome, ItalyJulius Boros and Lee Trevino
1967Jack Nicklaus and Arnold PalmerMexico City, MexicoBob Charles and Walter Godfrey
Canada Cup
1966Jack Nicklaus and Arnold PalmerTokyo, JapanHarold Henning and Gary Player
1965Harold Henning and Gary PlayerMadrid, SpainÁngel Miguel and Ramón Sota
1964Jack Nicklaus and Arnold PalmerMaui, Hawaii, United StatesRoberto De Vicenzo and Leopoldo Ruiz
1963Jack Nicklaus and Arnold PalmerParis, FranceSebastián Miguel and Ramón Sota
1962Arnold Palmer and Sam SneadBuenos Aires, ArgentinaFidel de Luca and Roberto De Vicenzo
1961Jimmy Demaret and Sam SneadDorado, Puerto RicoKel Nagle and Peter Thomson
1960Arnold Palmer and Sam SneadPortmarnock, Dublin, IrelandBernard Hunt and Harry Weetman
1959Kel Nagle and Peter ThomsonMelbourne, AustraliaCary Middlecoff and Sam Snead
1958Harry Bradshaw and Christy O'Connor SnrMexico City, MexicoÁngel Miguel and Sebastián Miguel
1957Torakichi Nakamura and Koichi OnoTokyo, JapanJimmy Demaret and Sam Snead
1956Ben Hogan and Sam SneadWentworth, Surrey, EnglandBobby Locke and Gary Player
1955Ed Furgol and Chick HarbertWashington, D.C., United StatesKel Nagle and Peter Thomson
1954Kel Nagle and Peter ThomsonMontreal, CanadaAntonio Cerdá and Roberto De Vicenzo
1953Antonio Cerdá and Roberto De VicenzoMontreal, Canada – Bill Kerr and Stan Leonard
1This was a combined Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland team. They competed under the Republic of Ireland flag although both golfers were from Northern Ireland.

Performance by nation

TeamChampionsRunners-up
2411
56
54
47
32
26
24
23
22
21
21
16
15
12
11
11
10
02
02
01
01
01
01

Individual winners

YearWinnerCountryScoreTo parMargin of
victory
Runner(s)-up
align=center colspan=72016–2018: No individual tournament
2013274 −10 2 strokes Thomas Bjørn
align=center colspan=72000–2011: No individual tournament
1999263 −21 9 strokes Frank Nobilo
1998279 −9 1 stroke Nick Faldo
Costantino Rocca
1997266 −22 2 strokes Alex Čejka
1996272 −16 3 strokes Wayne Westner
1995267 −21 Playoff Hisayuki Sasaki
1994265 −23 5 strokes Costantino Rocca
1993272 −16 3 strokes Fred Couples
1992270 −18 Playoff Ian Woosnam
1991273 −15 3 strokes Bernhard Langer
1990271 −17 2 strokes Anders Sørensen
1989137 −7 1 stroke José María Cañizares
Anders Sørensen
1988275 −13 1 stroke Tateo Ozaki
1987274 −14 5 strokes Sandy Lyle
1986: No tournament
1985272 −16 5 strokes Christy O'Connor Jnr
1984205 −11 2 strokes Gordon Brand Jnr
1983276 −12 3 strokes Rex Caldwell
1982281 −3 1 stroke José María Cañizares
Bob Gilder
1981: No tournament
1980282 −6 1 stroke Bernhard Langer
1979285 −3 2 strokes Bernhard Langer
Sandy Lyle
1978281 −7 2 strokes Andy North
1977 289 +1 3 strokes Hubert Green
Rudy Lavares
1976282 −6 3 strokes Brian Barnes
Manuel Piñero
1975275 −13 2 strokes Ben Arda
Hsieh Min-Nan
Bob Shearer
1974 271 −9 5 strokes Masashi Ozaki
1973277 −11 3 strokes Gary Player
1972217 +1 2 strokes Takaaki Kono
1971271 −17 7 strokes Gary Player
1970269 −19 1 stroke David Graham
1969275 −9 1 stroke Roberto De Vicenzo
1968274 −14 5 strokes Roberto Bernardini
1967276 −12 5 strokes Bob Charles
Jack Nicklaus
1966272 −16 Playoff Hideyo Sugimoto
1965 281 −7 3 strokes Jack Nicklaus
1964276 −12 2 strokes Arnold Palmer
1963237 −15 5 strokes Sebastián Miguel
Gary Player
1962276 −4 2 strokes Peter Alliss
Arnold Palmer
1961272 −16 8 strokes Peter Thomson
1960279 −9 2 strokes Sam Snead
1959 275 −5 Playoff Peter Thomson
1958 286 −2 Playoff Harry Bradshaw
1957 274 −14 7 strokes Gary Player
Sam Snead
Dave Thomas
1956 277 −7 5 strokes Roberto De Vicenzo
1955 279 −1 Playoff Peter Thomson
Flory Van Donck
align=center colspan=71953–54: No individual award

Multiple winners

Teammates

As part of team

As individual (International Trophy)

External links

See main article: world cups.

See main article: world championships.

Notes and References

  1. News: The Age . 9 November 1967 . Slow Greens Worry World Cup Golfers . 28 November 2012 . 31 January 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230131133953/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Vf1UAAAAIBAJ&pg=2091,1709088&dq=world-cup+canada-cup+golf&hl=en . live .
  2. News: Golf-Record purse of $7.5 million for new biennial World Cup . Reuters . Tony . Jimenez . 15 March 2010 . 28 November 2012 . 10 January 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160110112111/http://uk.reuters.com/article/golf-world-idUKLDE62E1X120100315 . live .
  3. Omega Mission Hills World Cup to Become Biennial Event . . 15 March 2010 . 28 November 2012 . 7 March 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120307140051/http://www.asiantour.com/news.aspx?sid=20100315703212218071 . live .
  4. Web site: US wins golf World Cup . ABC News . 27 November 2011 . 28 November 2012 . 4 August 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160804033931/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-11-27/us-wins-golf-world-cup/3697892 . live .
  5. Web site: World Cup of Golf Moves to Australia . PGA Tour . 11 May 2013 . 16 May 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130708132604/http://worldcup.pgatour.com/newsdetails.aspx?Hid=1128 . 8 July 2013 . dead . dmy-all .
  6. Web site: McIlroy might play for Northern Ireland in World Cup . https://archive.today/20130616101647/http://worldcup.pgatour.com/newsdetails.aspx?Hid=1129 . dead . 16 June 2013 . PGA Tour . 14 May 2013 . 16 May 2013 .
  7. News: N. Ireland, Ireland will team in WCup . ESPN . Associated Press . 17 May 2013 . 20 May 2013 . 13 November 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131113221642/http://espn.go.com/golf/story/_/id/9287438/northern-ireland-separate-world-cup-team . live .
  8. Web site: Omega Title Sponsor of the Mission Hills World Cup . Asian Tour . 30 January 2007.