The World Cup of Golf is a men's golf tournament contested by teams of two representing their country. Only one team is allowed from each country. The players are selected on the basis of the Official World Golf Ranking, although not all of the first choice players choose to compete. The equivalent event for women was the Women's World Cup of Golf, played from 2005 to 2008.
History The tournament was founded by industrialist John Jay Hopkins, who hoped it would promote international goodwill through golf. It began in 1953 as the Canada Cup and changed its name to the World Cup in 1967. With Fred Corcoran as the Tournament Director and the International Golf Association behind it (1955–1977), the World Cup traveled the globe and grew to be one of golf's most prestigious tournaments throughout the 1960s and 1970s, but interest in the event faded to the point that the event was not held in 1981 or 1986.
The tournament was incorporated into the World Golf Championships series from 2000 to 2006. In 2007 it ceased to be a World Golf Championships event, but continued to be sanctioned by the International Federation of PGA Tours.
From 2007 through 2009 the tournament was held at the Mission Hills Golf Club in Shenzhen, China, receiving the name Mission Hills World Cup. There was no tournament in 2010, it having been announced that the event would change from annual to biennial, held in odd-numbered years, to accommodate the 2016 inclusion of golf at the Olympics. The 2011 tournament was at a new venue — Mission Hills Haikou in the Chinese island province of Hainan.
The United States has a clear lead in wins, with 24 as of 2018.
Format In 1953, the format was 36 holes of stroke play with the combined score of the two-man team determining the winner. From 1954 to 1999, the format was 72 holes of stroke play. Beginning in 2000, the format became alternating stroke play rounds of bestball (fourball) and alternate shot (foursomes).
The 2013 tournament was primarily an individual event with a team component. The 60-player field was selected based on the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) with up to two players per country allowed to qualify (four per country if they are within the top 15 of the OWGR). The format returned to 72 holes of stroke play, with the individuals competing for US$7 million of the $8 million total purse. OWGR points were awarded for the first time. The top two-ranked players from each country competed for the team portion, using combined stroke play scores. The individual portion was similar to what would be used at the 2016 Summer Olympics, except that England, Scotland, and Wales had teams instead of a single Great Britain team as in the Olympics, while Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland again played as a single team.
In 2016, the format reverted to that used from 2000 to 2011.
From 1955 to 1999, there was also a separate award, the International Trophy, for the individual with the best 72-hole score.
Team winners YearWinnersTeamLocationRunners-upISPS Handa Melbourne World Cup of Golf2018 Thomas Detry and Thomas Pieters Melbourne, Australia – Marc Leishman and Cameron Smith – Abraham Ancer and Roberto DíazISPS Handa World Cup of Golf2017 No tournament2016 Søren Kjeldsen and Thorbjørn Olesen Melbourne, Australia – Li Haotong and Wu Ashun – Victor Dubuisson and Romain Langasque – Rickie Fowler and Jimmy Walker2014–2015 No tournament2013 Jason Day and Adam Scott Melbourne, Australia – Matt Kuchar and Kevin Streelman2012 No tournamentOmega Mission Hills World Cup2011Matt Kuchar and Gary Woodland Haikou, Hainan Island, China – Ian Poulter and Justin Rose – Martin Kaymer and Alex Čejka2010 No tournament2009Edoardo Molinari and Francesco Molinari Shenzhen, China – Henrik Stenson and Robert Karlsson1 – Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell2008Robert Karlsson and Henrik StensonShenzhen, China – Miguel Ángel Jiménez and Pablo Larrazábal2007Colin Montgomerie and Marc WarrenShenzhen, China – Heath Slocum and Boo WeekleyWGC-World Cup2006Bernhard Langer and Marcel Siem Sandy Lane Resort, Barbados – Colin Montgomerie and Marc Warren2005Stephen Dodd and Bradley DredgeAlgarve, Portugal – Luke Donald and David Howell – Niclas Fasth and Henrik Stenson2004Paul Casey and Luke DonaldSeville, Spain – Sergio García and Miguel Ángel Jiménez2003Trevor Immelman and Rory SabbatiniKiawah Island, South Carolina, United States – Paul Casey and Justin Rose2002Toshimitsu Izawa and Shigeki MaruyamaPuerto Vallarta, Mexico – Phil Mickelson and David Toms2001Ernie Els and Retief GoosenGotemba, Shizuoka – Thomas Bjørn and Søren Hansen – Michael Campbell and David Smail – David Duval and Tiger Woods2000David Duval and Tiger WoodsBuenos Aires, Argentina – Eduardo Romero and Ángel CabreraWorld Cup of Golf1999Mark O'Meara and Tiger WoodsKuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Santiago Luna and Miguel Ángel Martín1998David Carter and Nick FaldoAuckland, New Zealand – Massimo Florioli and Costantino Rocca1997Pádraig Harrington and Paul McGinleyKiawah Island, South Carolina, United States – Colin Montgomerie and Raymond Russell1996Ernie Els and Wayne WestnerCape Town, South Africa – Steve Jones and Tom Lehman1995Fred Couples and Davis Love IIIShenzhen, China – Robert Allenby and Steve Elkington1994Fred Couples and Davis Love IIIDorado, Puerto Rico – Tony Johnstone and Mark McNulty1993Fred Couples and Davis Love IIIOrlando, Florida, United States – Mark McNulty and Nick PriceWorld Cup1992Fred Couples and Davis Love IIIMadrid, Spain – Anders Forsbrand and Per-Ulrik Johansson1991Anders Forsbrand and Per-Ulrik JohanssonRome, Italy – Phillip Price and Ian Woosnam1990Torsten Giedeon and Bernhard LangerOrlando, Florida, United States – Richard Boxall and Mark James1 – David Feherty and Ronan Rafferty1989Peter Fowler and Wayne GradyMarbella, Spain – José María Cañizares and José María Olazábal1988Ben Crenshaw and Mark McCumberMelbourne, Australia – Masashi Ozaki and Tateo Ozaki1987David Llewellyn and Ian WoosnamMaui, Hawaii, United States – Sandy Lyle and Sam Torrance1986No tournament1985Dave Barr and Dan HalldorsonLa Quinta, California, United States – Howard Clark and Paul Way1984José María Cañizares and José RiveroRome, Italy – Gordon Brand Jnr and Sam Torrance – Hsieh Min-Nan and Chen Tze-chung1983Rex Caldwell and John CookJakarta, Indonesia – Terry Gale and Wayne Grady – Jerry Anderson and Dave Barr1982José María Cañizares and Manuel PiñeroAcapulco, Mexico – Bobby Clampett and Bob Gilder1981No tournament1980Dan Halldorson and Jim NelfordBogotá, Colombia – Sandy Lyle and Steve Martin1979Hale Irwin and John MahaffeyAthens, Greece – Sandy Lyle and Ken Brown1978John Mahaffey and Andy NorthHanalei, Hawaii, United States – Wayne Grady and Greg Norman1977Seve Ballesteros and Antonio GarridoManila, Philippines – Ben Arda and Rudy Lavares1976Seve Ballesteros and Manuel PiñeroPalm Springs, California, United States – Jerry Pate and Dave Stockton1975Lou Graham and Johnny MillerBangkok, Thailand – Hsieh Min-Nan and Kuo Chie-Hsiung1974Bobby Cole and Dale HayesCaracas, Venezuela – Isao Aoki and Masashi Ozaki1973Johnny Miller and Jack NicklausMarbella, Spain – Hugh Baiocchi and Gary Player1972Hsieh Min-Nan and Lu Liang-HuanMelbourne, Australia – Takaaki Kono and Takashi Murakami1971Jack Nicklaus and Lee TrevinoPalm Beach Gardens, Florida, United States – Harold Henning and Gary Player1970Bruce Devlin and David GrahamBuenos Aires, Argentina – Roberto De Vicenzo and Vicente Fernández1969Orville Moody and Lee TrevinoSingapore – Takaaki Kono and Haruo Yasuda1968Al Balding and George KnudsonRome, Italy – Julius Boros and Lee Trevino1967Jack Nicklaus and Arnold PalmerMexico City, Mexico – Bob Charles and Walter GodfreyCanada Cup1966Jack Nicklaus and Arnold PalmerTokyo, Japan – Harold Henning and Gary Player1965Harold Henning and Gary PlayerMadrid, Spain – Ángel Miguel and Ramón Sota1964Jack Nicklaus and Arnold PalmerMaui, Hawaii, United States – Roberto De Vicenzo and Leopoldo Ruiz1963Jack Nicklaus and Arnold PalmerParis, France – Sebastián Miguel and Ramón Sota1962Arnold Palmer and Sam SneadBuenos Aires, Argentina – Fidel de Luca and Roberto De Vicenzo1961Jimmy Demaret and Sam SneadDorado, Puerto Rico – Kel Nagle and Peter Thomson1960Arnold Palmer and Sam SneadPortmarnock, Dublin, Ireland – Bernard Hunt and Harry Weetman1959Kel Nagle and Peter ThomsonMelbourne, Australia – Cary Middlecoff and Sam Snead1958Harry Bradshaw and Christy O'Connor SnrMexico City, Mexico – Ángel Miguel and Sebastián Miguel1957Torakichi Nakamura and Koichi OnoTokyo, Japan – Jimmy Demaret and Sam Snead1956Ben Hogan and Sam SneadWentworth, Surrey, England – Bobby Locke and Gary Player1955Ed Furgol and Chick HarbertWashington, D.C., United States – Kel Nagle and Peter Thomson1954Kel Nagle and Peter ThomsonMontreal, Canada – Antonio Cerdá and Roberto De Vicenzo1953Antonio Cerdá and Roberto De VicenzoMontreal, Canada – Bill Kerr and Stan Leonard 1This was a combined Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland team. They competed under the Republic of Ireland flag although both golfers were from Northern Ireland.
Performance by nation TeamChampionsRunners-up241156544732262423222121161512111110020201010101
Individual winners YearWinnerCountryScoreTo parMargin ofvictoryRunner(s)-up2016–2018: No individual tournament2013Jason Day 274 −10 2 strokes Thomas Bjørn2000–2011: No individual tournament1999Tiger Woods 263 −21 9 strokes Frank Nobilo1998Scott Verplank 279 −9 1 stroke Nick Faldo Costantino Rocca1997Colin Montgomerie 266 −22 2 strokes Alex Čejka1996Ernie Els 272 −16 3 strokes Wayne Westner1995Davis Love III 267 −21 Playoff Hisayuki Sasaki1994Fred Couples 265 −23 5 strokes Costantino Rocca1993Bernhard Langer 272 −16 3 strokes Fred Couples1992Brett Ogle 270 −18 Playoff Ian Woosnam1991Ian Woosnam 273 −15 3 strokes Bernhard Langer1990Payne Stewart 271 −17 2 strokes Anders Sørensen1989Peter Fowler 137 −7 1 stroke José María Cañizares Anders Sørensen1988Ben Crenshaw 275 −13 1 stroke Tateo Ozaki1987Ian Woosnam 274 −14 5 strokes Sandy Lyle1986: No tournament1985Howard Clark 272 −16 5 strokes Christy O'Connor Jnr1984José María Cañizares 205 −11 2 strokes Gordon Brand Jnr1983Dave Barr 276 −12 3 strokes Rex Caldwell1982Manuel Piñero 281 −3 1 stroke José María Cañizares Bob Gilder1981: No tournament1980Sandy Lyle 282 −6 1 stroke Bernhard Langer1979Hale Irwin 285 −3 2 strokes Bernhard Langer Sandy Lyle1978John Mahaffey 281 −7 2 strokes Andy North1977Gary Player 289 +1 3 strokes Hubert Green Rudy Lavares1976Ernesto Perez Acosta 282 −6 3 strokes Brian Barnes Manuel Piñero1975Johnny Miller 275 −13 2 strokes Ben Arda Hsieh Min-Nan Bob Shearer1974Bobby Cole 271 −9 5 strokes Masashi Ozaki1973Johnny Miller 277 −11 3 strokes Gary Player1972Hsieh Min-Nan 217 +1 2 strokes Takaaki Kono1971Jack Nicklaus 271 −17 7 strokes Gary Player1970Roberto De Vicenzo 269 −19 1 stroke David Graham1969Lee Trevino 275 −9 1 stroke Roberto De Vicenzo1968Al Balding 274 −14 5 strokes Roberto Bernardini1967Arnold Palmer 276 −12 5 strokes Bob Charles Jack Nicklaus1966George Knudson 272 −16 Playoff Hideyo Sugimoto1965Gary Player 281 −7 3 strokes Jack Nicklaus1964Jack Nicklaus 276 −12 2 strokes Arnold Palmer1963Jack Nicklaus 237 −15 5 strokes Sebastián Miguel Gary Player1962Roberto De Vicenzo 276 −4 2 strokes Peter Alliss Arnold Palmer1961Sam Snead 272 −16 8 strokes Peter Thomson1960Flory Van Donck 279 −9 2 strokes Sam Snead1959Stan Leonard 275 −5 Playoff Peter Thomson1958Ángel Miguel 286 −2 Playoff Harry Bradshaw1957Torakichi Nakamura 274 −14 7 strokes Gary Player Sam Snead Dave Thomas1956Ben Hogan 277 −7 5 strokes Roberto De Vicenzo1955Ed Furgol 279 −1 Playoff Peter Thomson Flory Van Donck1953–54: No individual award
Multiple winners
Teammates 4 times: Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer, Fred Couples and Davis Love III 2 times: Kel Nagle and Peter Thomson, Arnold Palmer and Sam Snead
As part of team 6 times: Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer 4 times: Fred Couples, Davis Love III, Sam Snead