One of the enduring differences that the World Cup of Golf offers is the ability for a top-ranked player to choose his partner for the tournament. More often that not, it is not just golfing ability that comes into play. It also clearly helps if you like your team-mate.
England’s World Cup pairing of Chris Wood and Andy Sullivan are not just good golfers and Ryder Cup players, they are also great mates.
“Can’t wait to represent England with this lad (Sullivan) at the World Cup in Melbourne,” said Wood on his Twitter account.
Can't wait to represent #England with this lad next week at the World Cup in Melbourne. @andysulligolf #forengland. 🌎🏆 ⛳️ pic.twitter.com/rRmupqvT1I
— Chris Wood (@Chris3Wood) November 14, 2016
The duo stepped in after Danny Willett’s back injury forced him, and also therefore Lee Westwood, out of the event, and the pair are only too delighted to have a chance to snare a third trophy for the proud nation.
“It’s going to be an amazing experience,” said Wood. “It’s something we’ll always have on our CVs, you don’t get to represent your country very often in professional golf and we’re both proud Englishmen, so we’ll be doing our best to make the country proud and hopefully bring the trophy home with us. “
“I’m so excited about playing the World Cup, it’s going to be awesome,” said Sullivan. “It’s been a long season so I was planning on taking a break after Dubai, but you can’t say no to representing your country in the World Cup, can you?”
Wood competed under the more individual format at Royal Melbourne three years ago, and while he says that was a great experience, it is clear he is relishing the reintroduction of the team dynamic this year.
“I’m really glad they’ve gone back to the original format, I enjoyed playing the World Cup in 2013 but foursomes and fourballs is much more exciting – for the fans and the players.”
England’s little and large are coming, and the excitement, for them and everyone else at host venue Kingston Heath, is almost tangible.
