I bet you can’t name the team that won the last World Cup of Golf in 2018?
There is no way that I could, if I hadn’t just looked on Wikipedia. Belgium’s Thomas Detry and Thomas Pieters did what Belgium’s golden generation of football couldn’t do, hoisting the trophy at Metropolitan Golf Club in Melbourne.
My memory of that defunct tournament is limited, at best, because, as I started my obsession with golf circa 2010, there have been only four renewals of the event since then.
It was founded in 1953, 23 years after the FIFA World Cup was first played. It went through many format changes from 36-hole to 72-hole stroke play, better ball and foursomes. It was played as a WGC between 2000 and 2006.
Tiger Woods won it in 1999 and 2000, respectively, with Mark O’Meara and David Duval in Kuala Lumpur and Buenos Aires. Golf came home in 1998 when Sir Nick Faldo and David Carter won the tournament held in Auckland, then six years of hurt were dispelled when Paul Casey and Luke Donald did the same in 2004 in Seville.
Spain also had a good record. Seve Ballesteros won the event in 1976 and 1977, first with Manuel Pinero, then Antonio Garrido. America hold a significant lead in the titles tally with 24.
Given that the FIFA World Cup is in full swing in North America, we wonder if the World Cup of Golf were ever brought back into existence, would England win it?
Let’s take a look at the countries that are ranked highest in the Official World Golf Rankings, pair up the highest-ranked players from each nation, then give a football-type verdict on who we believe would come out on top.
2026 World Cup of Golf
USA: Scottie Scheffler & Cameron Young
On paper, this pair should win, and win the tournament well. Scottie Scheffler has been the best player in the world for some time, while Cameron Young is blossoming into a fine talent, too.
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They would be the bookies’ favourite.
Northern Ireland: Rory McIlroy & Tom McKibbin
These two are pals, so they could feed off each other quite well. Rory is Rory – there isn’t much else that can be said for a man who has completed the sport.
Tom McKibbin controversially decided to ply his trade outside of Europe and prioritised the Saudi riches, as many players have in recent years. Despite this, they’d be a useful pair, for sure.
England: Matt Fitzpatrick & Justin Rose
Quickly Kevin, will he hole it?
Fitzpatrick and Rose would certainly be among the favourites. Once Rose is playing for something bigger than himself, the performance levels rise, and the fistpumps come out. This duo are definitely good enough to fill England fans with enough delusional expectation that it’s coming home.
Spain: Jon Rahm & David Puig
You wouldn’t want to face Jon Rahm and David Puig in the quarter-finals. A great champion and generational talent, and his apprentice would cause any side all manner of problems.
Sweden: Ludvig Aberg & Alex Noren
The Scandinavian teams in this tournament are dark horse material. We are still waiting for Ludvig to fully explode and realise his potential, so perhaps the experienced, wily Noren could coax him through the tournament to the latter stages.
Scotland: Bob MacIntyre & Calum Hill
Bob has proven himself with big wins in Canada and his native Scotland, but is that enough form to presumably carry his partner through the preliminary stages and further?
South Korea: Si Woo Kim & Sungjae Im
This is an interesting pair. They have big titles between them, with Si Woo winning a marquee American title, no less. I think we have a dark horse on our hands here, and not the Turkey type that completely underwhelms.
Norway: Kristoffer Reitan & Viktor Hovland
Viktor Hovland has pedigree and form in team environments, with more to be achieved in the coming years. Reitan has also now won in the States, too. They are a force to be reckoned with.
Japan: Hideki Matsuyama & Ryo Hisatsune
In terms of betting, Hideki Matsuyama is one of the most difficult players to work out. He is a serial winner and arguably the biggest Asian star of all time, but would you be surprised if he went out in the first round? For Ryo Hisatsune, is that the type of player you want to follow into battle?
Denmark: Rasmus & Nicolai Hojgaard
These two are going to play for each other, aren’t they? Although they haven’t quite cracked America yet, they are European stars now, and everyone would love the story of plucky twins muddling their way to the quarter-finals and beyond.
Australia: Min Woo Lee & Jason Day
This is a fun duo. Jason Day is absolutely brimming with experience and class, and Min Woo Lee would attract a passionate fanbase with his brand. Unless it’s cricket or rugby, though, Australia don’t really do World Cups.
Canada: Corey Conners & Nick Taylor
We have an interesting couple of Canadians here. They know how to win, for sure, and between them, they have plenty of trophies to their name. But is there enough star quality to go deep in the tournament?
South Africa: Casey Jarvis & Jayden Schaper
You can’t win anything with kids, but these two kids are quite good. They’ve won well in Europe before and should enter this tournament with no fear. They would be a fun watch, with plenty of flair and excitement.
France: Martin Couvra & Adrien Saddier
This isn’t quite the golden generation of France we have become accustomed to in previous years. They have victories to speak of in Europe, which is great, but there is a level of consistency required at this tournament to advance to the latter stages.
Austria: Sepp Straka & Bernd Wiesberger
We might have dark horses on our hands again. I am a big fan of Sepp Straka. He knows how to win as part of a team on away soil, and Bernd Wiesberger is experienced in a group dressing room, too. Don’t be surprised if this lot are putting it up to England or America at the business end of the tournament.
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Belgium: Thomas Detry & Thomas Pieters
They are the defending champions, but as we have got used to with Belgium, they are still relying on the same group of players from yesteryear to produce the goods. I’m just not sure that will work anymore.
Verdict
You already know the verdict. It’s coming home.
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