Francesco Molinari and Matteo Manassero defend the blue colors in the pairs world cup. This is the 58th edition of the ISPS Handa World Cup of Golf, from Thursday to Sunday, at Kingston Heath GC in Melbourne, Australia, where the event arrives for the fifth time. On the previous four occasions it was played at Royal Melbourne and in the last edition, that of 2013, the home players, Adam Scott and Jason Day won. To defend the title this year there is only Scott, in the company of Marc Leishman , because Jason Day number one in the world, has been sidelined for months due to an injury.
Francesco, winner of the match in 2009 together with his brother Edoardo, is in his seventh consecutive appearance and for the second time he will play alongside Manassero. In 2013 Italy finished only 20th, but Chicco conquered the eighth place in the individual classification. On this occasion the game formulas are foursomes on the first and third day; fourballs in the second and fourth.
The field is of an excellent level, the result of 28 national selections. Australia remains among the favourites, even if the absence of Jason Day leaves a big margin of uncertainty, because the team, on paper, is not the war machine it was three years ago. In pole position the United States with Rickie Fowler and Jimmy Walker; Sweden with Alex Noren and David Lingmerth; Japan, Hideki Matsuyama and Ryo Ishikawa. Followed by Thailand, Thongchai Jaidee and Kiradech Aphibarnrat; Korea, Byeong Hun An and KT Kim; Ireland Graeme McDowell and Shane Lowry. Outsiders Belgium with the revelation Thomas Pieters and the expert Nicolas Colsaerts, Spain, with Rafael Cabrera Bello and the young Jon Rahm, England, with Chris Wood and Andy Sullivan, present in the last Ryder Cup, France with Victor Dubuisson and debutant Romain Langasque.
In this context, Italy has excellent chances to play an important role. Francesco Molinari confirmed his splendid form in Dubai and Matteo Manassero, growing despite some flaws, has a complementary game to that of the Turinese, an essential aspect especially in the two foursomes matches.
The roll of honor includes 24 hits by the United States, five by Australia and South Africa and four by Spain. Italy, in addition to the victory in 2009, obtained second place with Costantino Rocca and Massimo Florioli in New Zealand (1998). On the first day, the Azzurri will play together with England. The prize pool is $8 million.
