Golf World Cup

With the poor displays of the US in recent Ryder Cups and the strength of golf outside the States and Europe, there is a  case for a golfing World Cup. With the Portugal Open reduced to 2 rounds because of bad weather and precious little other sport on offer I found myself speculating on the format and winner.

Each country could enter 4 golfers and the Ryder Cup format of fourballs, foursomes and singles is as good as any. Australia with Scott, Day, Leishman and Ogilvy would be very strong as would Ireland ( McIlroy, McDowell,Lowry and Harrington) . France have 4 young talents in Dubuisson,Wattel, Levy,who has won two tourneys – the China and Portuguese – this year, Bourdy) whilst Spain ( Garcia, Jimenex, Fdez Castano and Larrazubal) and Germany headed up by Kaymer and Siem would challenge too. Sweden captained by Henrik Stenson can call upon Karlsson and Peter Hanson whilst the Scots could field Gallacher, Warren, Ramsay and Laird. In the Southern hemisphere Argentina have the likes of Cabrero and Romero and who could dismiss South Africa (Schwartzel, Ousthuizen, Els and Grace)? Japan’s Ishowara and Matsuyama have performed well on the US PGA, South Korea’s men are rivalling their dominating women golfers whilst Thailand have Jaidee and Apbarnrat. It would require some orgnisation but there are gaps in the golfing calendar and any World Cup attracts lucrative sponsorship.

Scottish courses (St Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbairn) were the venue of the recent Alfred Dunhill so no problem in building stadia or traveling distance. I thought we might call it the Pargiter Cup in honour of the person who devised it  .