World Cup (men's golf)

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

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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

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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

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Year Winners Team Location Runners-up
ISPS Handa Melbourne World Cup of Golf
2018   Belgium Thomas Detry and Thomas Pieters Melbourne, Australia   AustraliaMarc Leishman and Cameron Smith
  MexicoAbraham Ancer and Roberto Díaz
ISPS Handa World Cup of Golf
2017 No tournament
2016   Denmark Søren Kjeldsen and Thorbjørn Olesen Melbourne, Australia   ChinaLi Haotong and Wu Ashun
  FranceVictor Dubuisson and Romain Langasque
  United StatesRickie Fowler and Jimmy Walker
2014–2015 No tournament
2013   Australia Jason Day and Adam Scott Melbourne, Australia   United StatesMatt Kuchar and Kevin Streelman
2012 No tournament
Omega Mission Hills World Cup[8]
2011   United States Matt Kuchar and Gary Woodland Haikou, Hainan Island, China   EnglandIan Poulter and Justin Rose
  GermanyMartin Kaymer and Alex Čejka
2010 No tournament
2009   Italy Edoardo Molinari and Francesco Molinari Shenzhen, China   SwedenHenrik Stenson and Robert Karlsson
  Ireland1Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell
2008   Sweden Robert Karlsson and Henrik Stenson Shenzhen, China   SpainMiguel Ángel Jiménez and Pablo Larrazábal
2007   Scotland Colin Montgomerie and Marc Warren Shenzhen, China   United StatesHeath Slocum and Boo Weekley
WGC-World Cup
2006   Germany Bernhard Langer and Marcel Siem Sandy Lane Resort, Barbados   ScotlandColin Montgomerie and Marc Warren
2005   Wales Stephen Dodd and Bradley Dredge Algarve, Portugal   EnglandLuke Donald and David Howell
  SwedenNiclas Fasth and Henrik Stenson
2004   England Paul Casey and Luke Donald Seville, Spain   SpainSergio García and Miguel Ángel Jiménez
2003   South Africa Trevor Immelman and Rory Sabbatini Kiawah Island, South Carolina, United States   EnglandPaul Casey and Justin Rose
2002   Japan Toshimitsu Izawa and Shigeki Maruyama Puerto Vallarta, Mexico   United StatesPhil Mickelson and David Toms
2001   South Africa Ernie Els and Retief Goosen Gotemba, Shizuoka   DenmarkThomas Bjørn and Søren Hansen
  New ZealandMichael Campbell and David Smail
  United StatesDavid Duval and Tiger Woods
2000   United States David Duval and Tiger Woods Buenos Aires, Argentina   ArgentinaEduardo Romero and Ángel Cabrera
World Cup of Golf
1999   United States Mark O'Meara and Tiger Woods Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia   SpainSantiago Luna and Miguel Ángel Martín
1998   England David Carter and Nick Faldo Auckland, New Zealand   ItalyMassimo Florioli and Costantino Rocca
1997   Ireland Pádraig Harrington and Paul McGinley Kiawah Island, South Carolina, United States   ScotlandColin Montgomerie and Raymond Russell
1996   South Africa Ernie Els and Wayne Westner Cape Town, South Africa   United StatesSteve Jones and Tom Lehman
1995   United States Fred Couples and Davis Love III Shenzhen, China   AustraliaRobert Allenby and Steve Elkington
1994   United States Fred Couples and Davis Love III Dorado, Puerto Rico   ZimbabweTony Johnstone and Mark McNulty
1993   United States Fred Couples and Davis Love III Orlando, Florida, United States   ZimbabweMark McNulty and Nick Price
World Cup
1992   United States Fred Couples and Davis Love III Madrid, Spain   SwedenAnders Forsbrand and Per-Ulrik Johansson
1991   Sweden Anders Forsbrand and Per-Ulrik Johansson Rome, Italy   WalesPhillip Price and Ian Woosnam
1990   Germany Torsten Giedeon and Bernhard Langer Orlando, Florida, United States   EnglandRichard Boxall and Mark James
  Ireland1David Feherty and Ronan Rafferty
1989   Australia Peter Fowler and Wayne Grady Marbella, Spain   SpainJosé María Cañizares and José María Olazábal
1988   United States Ben Crenshaw and Mark McCumber Melbourne, Australia   JapanMasashi Ozaki and Tateo Ozaki
1987   Wales David Llewellyn and Ian Woosnam Maui, Hawaii, United States   ScotlandSandy Lyle and Sam Torrance
1986 No tournament
1985   Canada Dave Barr and Dan Halldorson La Quinta, California, United States   EnglandHoward Clark and Paul Way
1984   Spain José María Cañizares and José Rivero Rome, Italy   ScotlandGordon Brand Jnr and Sam Torrance
  TaiwanHsieh Min-Nan and Chen Tze-chung
1983   United States Rex Caldwell and John Cook Jakarta, Indonesia   AustraliaTerry Gale and Wayne Grady
  CanadaJerry Anderson and Dave Barr
1982   Spain José María Cañizares and Manuel Piñero Acapulco, Mexico   United StatesBobby Clampett and Bob Gilder
1981 No tournament
1980   Canada Dan Halldorson and Jim Nelford Bogotá, Colombia   ScotlandSandy Lyle and Steve Martin
1979   United States Hale Irwin and John Mahaffey Athens, Greece   ScotlandSandy Lyle and Ken Brown
1978   United States John Mahaffey and Andy North Hanalei, Hawaii, United States   AustraliaWayne Grady and Greg Norman
1977   Spain Seve Ballesteros and Antonio Garrido Manila, Philippines   PhilippinesBen Arda and Rudy Lavares
1976   Spain Seve Ballesteros and Manuel Piñero Palm Springs, California, United States   United StatesJerry Pate and Dave Stockton
1975   United States Lou Graham and Johnny Miller Bangkok, Thailand   TaiwanHsieh Min-Nan and Kuo Chie-Hsiung
1974   South Africa Bobby Cole and Dale Hayes Caracas, Venezuela   JapanIsao Aoki and Masashi Ozaki
1973   United States Johnny Miller and Jack Nicklaus Marbella, Spain   South AfricaHugh Baiocchi and Gary Player
1972   Republic of China Hsieh Min-Nan and Lu Liang-Huan Melbourne, Australia   JapanTakaaki Kono and Takashi Murakami
1971   United States Jack Nicklaus and Lee Trevino Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, United States   South AfricaHarold Henning and Gary Player
1970   Australia Bruce Devlin and David Graham Buenos Aires, Argentina   ArgentinaRoberto De Vicenzo and Vicente Fernández
1969   United States Orville Moody and Lee Trevino Singapore   JapanTakaaki Kono and Haruo Yasuda
1968   Canada Al Balding and George Knudson Rome, Italy   United StatesJulius Boros and Lee Trevino
1967   United States Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer Mexico City, Mexico   New ZealandBob Charles and Walter Godfrey
Canada Cup
1966   United States Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer Tokyo, Japan   South AfricaHarold Henning and Gary Player
1965   South Africa Harold Henning and Gary Player Madrid, Spain   SpainÁngel Miguel and Ramón Sota
1964   United States Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer Maui, Hawaii, United States   ArgentinaRoberto De Vicenzo and Leopoldo Ruiz
1963   United States Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer Paris, France   SpainSebastián Miguel and Ramón Sota
1962   United States Arnold Palmer and Sam Snead Buenos Aires, Argentina   ArgentinaFidel de Luca and Roberto De Vicenzo
1961   United States Jimmy Demaret and Sam Snead Dorado, Puerto Rico   AustraliaKel Nagle and Peter Thomson
1960   United States Arnold Palmer and Sam Snead Portmarnock, Dublin, Ireland   EnglandBernard Hunt and Harry Weetman
1959   Australia Kel Nagle and Peter Thomson Melbourne, Australia   United StatesCary Middlecoff and Sam Snead
1958   Ireland Harry Bradshaw and Christy O'Connor Snr Mexico City, Mexico   SpainÁngel Miguel and Sebastián Miguel
1957   Japan Torakichi Nakamura and Koichi Ono Tokyo, Japan   United StatesJimmy Demaret and Sam Snead
1956   United States Ben Hogan and Sam Snead Wentworth, Surrey, England   South AfricaBobby Locke and Gary Player
1955   United States Ed Furgol and Chick Harbert Washington, D.C., United States   AustraliaKel Nagle and Peter Thomson
1954   Australia Kel Nagle and Peter Thomson Montreal, Canada   ArgentinaAntonio Cerdá and Roberto De Vicenzo
1953   Argentina Antonio Cerdá and Roberto De Vicenzo Montreal, Canada   CanadaBill 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

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Team Champions Runners-up
  United States 24 11
  Australia 5 6
  South Africa 5 4
  Spain 4 7
  Canada 3 2
  England 2 6
  Japan 2 4
  Sweden 2 3
  Ireland 2 2
  Wales 2 1
  Germany 2 1
  Scotland 1 6
  Argentina 1 5
  Taiwan 1 2
  Denmark 1 1
  Italy 1 1
  Belgium 1 0
  New Zealand 0 2
  Zimbabwe 0 2
  China 0 1
  France 0 1
  Mexico 0 1
  Philippines 0 1

Individual winners

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Year Winner Country Score To par Margin of
victory
Runner(s)-up
2016–2018: No individual tournament
2013 Jason Day   Australia 274 −10 2 strokes   Thomas Bjørn
2000–2011: No individual tournament
1999 Tiger Woods   United States 263 −21 9 strokes   Frank Nobilo
1998 Scott Verplank   United States 279 −9 1 stroke   Nick Faldo
  Costantino Rocca
1997 Colin Montgomerie   Scotland 266 −22 2 strokes   Alex Čejka
1996 Ernie Els   South Africa 272 −16 3 strokes   Wayne Westner
1995 Davis Love III   United States 267 −21 Playoff   Hisayuki Sasaki
1994 Fred Couples   United States 265 −23 5 strokes   Costantino Rocca
1993 Bernhard Langer   Germany 272 −16 3 strokes   Fred Couples
1992 Brett Ogle   Australia 270 −18 Playoff   Ian Woosnam
1991 Ian Woosnam   Wales 273 −15 3 strokes   Bernhard Langer
1990 Payne Stewart   United States 271 −17 2 strokes   Anders Sørensen
1989 Peter Fowler   Australia 137 −7 1 stroke   José María Cañizares
  Anders Sørensen
1988 Ben Crenshaw   United States 275 −13 1 stroke   Tateo Ozaki
1987 Ian Woosnam   Wales 274 −14 5 strokes   Sandy Lyle
1986: No tournament
1985 Howard Clark   England 272 −16 5 strokes   Christy O'Connor Jnr
1984 José María Cañizares   Spain 205 −11 2 strokes   Gordon Brand Jnr
1983 Dave Barr   Canada 276 −12 3 strokes   Rex Caldwell
1982 Manuel Piñero   Spain 281 −3 1 stroke   José María Cañizares
  Bob Gilder
1981: No tournament
1980 Sandy Lyle   Scotland 282 −6 1 stroke   Bernhard Langer
1979 Hale Irwin   United States 285 −3 2 strokes   Bernhard Langer
  Sandy Lyle
1978 John Mahaffey   United States 281 −7 2 strokes   Andy North
1977 Gary Player   South Africa 289 +1 3 strokes   Hubert Green
  Rudy Lavares
1976 Ernesto Perez Acosta   Mexico 282 −6 3 strokes   Brian Barnes
  Manuel Piñero
1975 Johnny Miller   United States 275 −13 2 strokes   Ben Arda
  Hsieh Min-Nan
  Bob Shearer
1974 Bobby Cole   South Africa 271 −9 5 strokes   Masashi Ozaki
1973 Johnny Miller   United States 277 −11 3 strokes   Gary Player
1972 Hsieh Min-Nan   Taiwan 217 +1 2 strokes   Takaaki Kono
1971 Jack Nicklaus   United States 271 −17 7 strokes   Gary Player
1970 Roberto De Vicenzo   Argentina 269 −19 1 stroke   David Graham
1969 Lee Trevino   United States 275 −9 1 stroke   Roberto De Vicenzo
1968 Al Balding   Canada 274 −14 5 strokes   Roberto Bernardini
1967 Arnold Palmer   United States 276 −12 5 strokes   Bob Charles
  Jack Nicklaus
1966 George Knudson   Canada 272 −16 Playoff   Hideyo Sugimoto
1965 Gary Player   South Africa 281 −7 3 strokes   Jack Nicklaus
1964 Jack Nicklaus   United States 276 −12 2 strokes   Arnold Palmer
1963 Jack Nicklaus   United States 237 −15 5 strokes   Sebastián Miguel
  Gary Player
1962 Roberto De Vicenzo   Argentina 276 −4 2 strokes   Peter Alliss
  Arnold Palmer
1961 Sam Snead   United States 272 −16 8 strokes   Peter Thomson
1960 Flory Van Donck   Belgium 279 −9 2 strokes   Sam Snead
1959 Stan Leonard   Canada 275 −5 Playoff   Peter Thomson
1958 Ángel Miguel   Spain 286 −2 Playoff   Harry Bradshaw
1957 Torakichi Nakamura   Japan 274 −14 7 strokes   Gary Player
  Sam Snead
  Dave Thomas
1956 Ben Hogan   United States 277 −7 5 strokes   Roberto De Vicenzo
1955 Ed Furgol   United States 279 −1 Playoff   Peter Thomson
  Flory Van Donck
1953–54: No individual award

Multiple winners

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Seve Ballesteros won the title twice as part of the Spanish team.

Teammates

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As part of team

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As individual (International Trophy)

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References

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  1. ^ "Slow Greens Worry World Cup Golfers". The Age. 9 November 1967. Archived from the original on 31 January 2023. Retrieved 28 November 2012.
  2. ^ Jimenez, Tony (15 March 2010). "Golf-Record purse of $7.5 million for new biennial World Cup". Reuters. Archived from the original on 10 January 2016. Retrieved 28 November 2012.
  3. ^ "Omega Mission Hills World Cup to Become Biennial Event" (Press release). Asian Tour. 15 March 2010. Archived from the original on 7 March 2012. Retrieved 28 November 2012.
  4. ^ "US wins golf World Cup". ABC News. 27 November 2011. Archived from the original on 4 August 2016. Retrieved 28 November 2012.
  5. ^ "World Cup of Golf Moves to Australia". PGA Tour. 11 May 2013. Archived from the original on 8 July 2013. Retrieved 16 May 2013.
  6. ^ "McIlroy might play for Northern Ireland in World Cup". PGA Tour. 14 May 2013. Archived from the original on 16 June 2013. Retrieved 16 May 2013.
  7. ^ a b "N. Ireland, Ireland will team in WCup". ESPN. Associated Press. 17 May 2013. Archived from the original on 13 November 2013. Retrieved 20 May 2013.
  8. ^ "Omega Title Sponsor of the Mission Hills World Cup". Asian Tour. 30 January 2007.[dead link]
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