Niall Lyons has some big-priced fancies at the Kingston Heath Golf Club in Melbourne.
The World Cup of Golf is back and it takes to the magnificent Kingston Heath Golf Club in Melbourne for it's renaissance. 28 countries line up two-man teams with foursomes taking place over days one and two, before stroke play (best ball) rules take over the other two days. It promises to be an interesting tournament to round off many peoples 2016. We have Hero Challenge and Alfred Dunhill next week to try and get some Christmas money before we all take a break for a few weeks.
In the Australian sandbelt we will no doubt see a firm, fast course with wind playing a big factor over the four days. Australia line up as worthy favourites with the experience of Scott in this territory. Leishman with his prowess in difficult conditions makes a solid teammate. They could be hard to beat but I'll chance an investment elsewhere. Japan go to war with the sizzling hot Matusyama and Ryo Ishikawa. I'd worry about this pair while playing foursomes. USA have concerns in both Fowler and Walker's games but they'll love the format and no doubt prove people wrong at some point during the tournament. At 8/1 though they represent no value at all.
With the firm and windy conditions Denmark must be lively contenders this week. In Soren Kjeldsen and Thorbjorn Olesen not only do they have in form players but they have players that are total experts when it comes to the conditions. Kjeldsen won the Irish Open at the toughest venue it has ever been staged at. Bits and pieces of form on other links or manufactured links show Soren can handle the conditions. Olesen won the Alfred Dunhill Links and has had numerous other solid performances on links. Whether these conditions play out over the four days remain to be seen, but if they do this pair should give a bold account. With the strength at the top of the market I am going to play the Danes 'First Round Lead' as well as the outright. The reason being, foursomes will suit the two lads and it can not be ruled out that Australia will have too much in the tank for them over four days.
Similar to the Danes who have an abundance of links form, the Irish pair of Mcdowell and Lowry must have a chance to make the frame. They too should love the conditions and have as good as chance as any in my eyes behind the Aussies. McDowell has said 'Kingston Heath is one of my favourite golf courses, it is suited to the type of golf course i grew up playing on'. Lowry's enthusiasm for the test will no doubt be big as the pair could prove to be the most patriotic team out there. Lowry won the Irish Open on a tough links, McDowell grew up on Portrush therefore they will have all the skills. I'll be very surprised if they don't figure throughout the four days.
