The Golf World Cup

I don't know why this isn't more popular and prestigious than it appears.

I love the idea of it and the fact they hold it every year.

I believe it's now gone to every 2 years Merc - and they are struggling for sponsors

I believe it's now gone to every 2 years Merc - and they are struggling for sponsors

What is the format in this Cup? Still 18 holes/played in groups?

First day was betterball medal - Second day is foresomes medal. Not sure after that

Davie wrote:First day was betterball medal - Second day is foresomes medal. Not sure after that

It's the same order for days 3 and 4, Davie.

Comment noted on it being bi-annual. I still think it's a good idea.

I do too Merc - just a bit of a shame it's being ignored by some of the bigger names. Rose/Poulter is a nice partnership for England but imagine how much more high profile it would be if it was Westwood/Donald

Good to see McIlroy and Kaymer supporting it though

The reason it's not more popular and/or perceived as being prestigious is because the PGA Tour ignores it and sends their "C" Teams, perhaps better than that this year with Kuchar and Woodland, but Woo Beekley and Slo Heathcum two years ago were more like their "E" Team. How disrespectful can you get?

One easy adjustment to raise its profile would be to award winning teams entry to each Major and WGC for the coming calendar year. As it is, fine achievements in this event are swept under the table, just ask Messrs Dodd and Warren. Shame.

Think that's a reason Kwini, but not the only one. Maybe there is only room for one team event for people to care about. You could also say if the US had sent its strongest team from the outset and won a lot of the events then it might not have taken off as the winners would be predictable.
But as it stands it's a complete nothing of an event.

Diggers wrote:You could also say if the US had sent its strongest team from the outset and won a lot of the events then it might not have taken off as the winners would be predictable.

Au contraire, I think that may have helped it.

I don't think any country really takes this seriously.
There is only one competition in golf where being part of a team matters, and that is the Ryder Cup, the rest are just filler competitions that I'm sure most players could probably do without.

Yes Digs, Mercurio likely correct.
It was much more well regarded and supported when the US dominated, all the way back to the Canada Cup days - a real feather in the cap if a smaller nation won it, even as recently as ten years ago.

Unless any competition receives proper support, it will fizzle. We've seen it with the World Cup and we're seeing it with the Pres Cup. super_ is right.
The big thing about the Ryder Cup is that it's not run by the PGA Tour. Thank Goodness.

Well regarded in what sense, I don't think your average golf fan cared then or now. I'd say the profile of the event is higher now because of the World Cup title.
It's true events need support, it's also true though that not every idea for an event is good and not every event is necessary or interesting.

I have always argued that it should be a major.
With the two tours now so strong there is no chance of that.

Diggers wrote:Well regarded in what sense, I don't think your average golf fan cared then or now. I'd say the profile of the event is higher now because of the World Cup title.
It's true events need support, it's also true though that not every idea for an event is good and not every event is necessary or interesting.

Great point. I think the Chevron and Nedbank are perfect examples of pointless tournaments. That one in Bermuda for all the major winners too.

Gallacher and Laird seem to be doing nicely.

Bit of a walk in the park for GMACMBE and Rory though I think.

Doon the Water wrote:
Bit of a walk in the park for GMACMBE and Rory though I think.

I wouldn't be so bold to say that with 2 rounds of Foursomes still to play.

It's a good filler for these winter evenings.

Tape it on sky through the night. Play back on "X6" and only pause to see Rory's magnifcent swing and GMac's increasingly exagerated follow through to minimise his hook.

ScottieD18 wrote:It's a good filler for these winter evenings.

Tape it on sky through the night. Play back on "X6" and only pause to see Rory's magnifcent swing and GMac's increasingly exagerated follow through to minimise his hook.

Admittedly, it now looks a lot better for them with just the one round of Foursomes left!

super_realist wrote:I don't think any country really takes this seriously.
There is only one competition in golf where being part of a team matters, and that is the Ryder Cup, the rest are just filler competitions that I'm sure most players could probably do without.

What do you mean? We (Ireland) have sent 2 of our 4 living major champions! Or being even more parochial, we (NI) have sent 2 of our 3 living major champions!

Actually I do know what you mean, and it's a shame because it could be a great spectacle. Hosting it somewhere that means it's on at Stupid O'clock in the morning in Europe doesn't help, although of course it's helping to promote the game in Asia.

To be fair Bob, who else were you going to send? Fair enough you've got a few decent players, but I don't think a plane would get off the ground with Shane Lowry on board.

Am I alone in beginning to find McIlroy quite annoying?

Beginning to find him annoying?? You obviously have a higher pain threshold than I do.

I have always found him annoying!

super_realist wrote:To be fair Bob, who else were you going to send? Fair enough you've got a few decent players, but I don't think a plane would get off the ground with Shane Lowry on board.

Am I alone in beginning to find McIlroy quite annoying?

I'd like to have seen Maybin, Lawrie, McGrane or Hoey have a go. As a McIlroy fan and a near neighbour (if he's ever home), I worry about him. He's beginning to show annoying tendencies.

Well, didn't see that coming.
If it was a horse race I think perhaps there should be a stewards enquiry.

Great round from Poults and Rose too.







Still a crap competition though, whoever wins.

Gspot and Coco choke it again.

Watched the final day with sky on X6. I ended up pressing play a lot more than I expected. A very exciting final day with several teams in the hunt until the US team pulled away. Well played by them.

Rory had a nightmare. Three missed putts from inside three and a half feet in the first 12 holes or so and a few hooks with the driver into trouble. GMac threw in a few missed greens with short irons and the thin out of the bunker at the par 5 that they got away with.

I love to watch Rory's swing and I like the guy a lot, but he and GMac have been so up their own *rs*s this week I found myself pulling for the US Team. For example, when Rory pitched in on the back 9 to keep them in the hunt GMac gave him a few full body bows as if Rory was the new Messiah .

Sorry GMac, but "He's not the Messiah. He's a very naughty boy" for missing those three short putts.

This competition has great history. I wish it was taken more seriously. It is very watchable. As the USA won, I guess its profile will be raised now. I hope it carries on for many years to come.