Such is the unique nature of the new format chosen for the first time for this World Cup, which starts on Thursday at Royal Melbourne, there is a greater financial incentive for players to be crowned World Cup champion as an individual, rather than the event's long-standing tradition to earn that honour as a nation.
Rather than two-man teams playing with each other in alternating stroke play rounds of fourball and foursomes, players will compete as if it were a normal tournament - four days of individual stroke play, and will be grouped accordingly.
The player on top of the leaderboard on Sunday will win the individual event, while the best combined score from both players from each country throughout the four days will secure the teams event for their nation. The dramatic change has been met with an uncertain reaction by the players, most of whom seem content to take a ''let's wait-and-see if it works'' approach.
Ireland star Graeme McDowell, ranked No. 12 in the world, was one of the most outspoken on Wednesday as players flocked to Royal Melbourne for practice, saying he understood the reasons behind the format shake-up.
The change will provide a trial for golf's introduction into the next Olympics and the major individual focus allows the event to offer official world golf ranking points which, along with the increased prizemoney, has the potential to lure higher-calibre players.
But McDowell said it was paramount that the event preserved its traditional teams aspect, and said it was up to the players, such as himself and teammate Shane Lowry, to drive the nation-v-nation pride that has always given the World Cup a unique edge.
''From myself and Shane's point of view - you see we are kind of wearing similar colours and stuff today - we are passionate about the team element this week and I think it is important that all of the players get behind that,'' he said.
''The individual of course is very important … but I think the World Cup will forever be about the winning team and representing your country.''
0 comments:
Post a Comment