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Willett and Rose opted not to play but the next highest-ranked Englishman, Chris Wood, committed to the event

Wood and Sullivan to team up for the World Cup

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As players who are competing in next week’s ISPS HANDA World Cup of Golf continued to shine last week with victories on three different Tours by Alex Noren, Hideki Matsuyama and SSP Chawrasia, tournament officials also announced changes to the field including the withdrawal of Danny Willett and Jamie Donaldson.

Willett’s withdrawal means that Justin Rose, the next highest-ranked player from England in the Official World Golf Ranking taken the week after the US PGA Championship, was invited. Rose, who is still recovering from his back injury, opted not to play but the next highest-ranked Englishman, Chris Wood, committed to the event. Wood was then able to select his playing partner, choosing Andy Sullivan which means that Lee Westwood no longer has a start in this year’s event. 

Wood is playing in the event for the second time in his career, while Sullivan will be making his debut for England. Both players, who have secured three victories apiece on the European Tour, made their Ryder Cup debuts at Hazeltine National in September. They also represented Europe at the start of the year in the EURASIA CUP.  

In addition to the changes for England, Donaldson recently withdrew from the Wales team with Bradley Dredge selecting Stuart Manley as his playing partner.

The ISPS HANDA World Cup of Golf will bring together the world’s top golfers to compete at Kingston Heath Golf Club from November 24-27 in one of golf’s only global team events, with 28 two-man teams representing their countries. 

Currently one of the world’s hottest players, Noren posted a closing 63 to win the Nedbank Golf Challenge hosted by Gary Player by six shots and claim his fourth European Tour victory of the season. The Swede carded an eagle, eight birdies and a solitary bogey to finish the week on 14 under par and move to third place in the Race to Dubai Rankings. 

Noren, who has also won the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open, the Omega European Masters and the British Masters supported by Sky Sports in a superb campaign, will team up with David Lingmerth to represent Sweden at the World Cup of Golf. 

Matsuyama is currently on an equally hot streak of form. With his seven-stroke victory at the Mitsui Sumitomo VISA Taiheiyo Masters on the Japan Golf Tour on Sunday, Matsuyama now has three international victories in his last four starts. Before winning last weekend, the 24 year old became the first Asian player to win a World Golf Championships event with his victory in Shanghai at the WGC-HSBC Champions in late October. Two weeks previously, Matsuyama won the Japan Open by three strokes.

Matsuyama will be paired with fellow Japanese prodigy Ryo Ishikawa. Together, the two are quickly becoming one of the favourites to take home the World Cup in the 58th edition of the historic event. 

“I’m really looking forward to the World Cup of Golf,” said Matsuyama. “Any time you get the opportunity to represent your country, it’s a great honour. I’m looking forward to playing well and hopefully we can team up for a victory.” 

On the Asian Tour, Chawrasia won his fourth international victory with victory on the second play-off hole at the Resorts World Manila Masters. The win at the richest golf tournament in the Philippines was a first for the 38 year old outside his native India, and was one to remember after he birdied the 18th hole twice in the play-off to clinch victory over Sam Chien of the United States and Malaysia’s Nicholas Fung. Chawrasia will team up with Chikkarangappa S. to represent India. 

“I’m looking forward to getting a week’s rest back home before flying to Melbourne for the World Cup,” he said. 

“The game’s been good and the season’s been nothing short of great too, having won my home Open earlier this year. This win will give me a boost in confidence and shape my game up nicely for the World Cup in two weeks’ time.” 

For ticket information and to follow all of the news and player features, the ISPS HANDA World Cup of Golf website is http://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/isps-handa-world-cup-of-golf.html