Optimistic Scots eye World Cup glory

Published on Tuesday 24 November 2009 22:59

DESPITE the fact they had to qualify and only got through by the skin of their teeth, Scotland's David Drysdale and Alastair Forsyth believe they can make their presence felt in the star-studded Omega Mission Hills World Cup this week.

Sweden, represented by Players Championship winner Henrik Stenson and last season's European No 1 Robert Karlsson, are defending the title, while England (Ross Fisher/Ian Poulter), Northern Ireland (Rory McIlroy) and Spain (Sergio Garcia/Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano) are all being represented by players much higher up the world rankings than the two Scots golfers.

However, having clicked when they really needed to in the European qualifier in Estonia in September, Drysdale and Forsyth are not ruling out the possibility of emulating Colin Montgomerie and Marc Warren after they gave Scotland a first win in the event at the same venue two years ago.

"We were never really looking like qualifying but played fantastic on the final day," said Drysdale of the closing 66 that enabled the Scots to progress along with Canada and Wales. "If we re-create that form this week, then there's no reason why we can't do well."

While Forsyth is making his fifth World Cup appearance this week, Drysdale is representing Scotland for the first time, either as an amateur or professional.

He was Scotland's sole representative in last week's Dubai World Championship and reckons an enforced break contributed to him finishing 42nd, though the experience of playing with three-time major winner Ernie Els was just about worth him having made the long trip on its own.

"I did not play well overall in Dubai – there was maybe a wee bit of rust after a few weeks off," said the 34-year-old. "Hopefully I can play myself into good form this week. I've had a great season, very consistent, and this week caps it off."

While Drysdale flew the saltire in the Middle East, Forsyth, whose win in the Madeira Island Open more than 20 months ago was Scotland's last success on the European Tour, has been working hard on his game back in Scotland. "I could have gone to the Hong Kong Open a couple of weeks ago but I would have needed to finish first or second to qualify for the Dubai World Championship, and I didn't think it was worth it," he said.

"I felt I was better off staying at home and working on improving my technique, and I think I have been able to do that.

"We've come here with good vibes after what we managed to do in Estonia. There's nothing to be scared of.

"David has had a great season and, after working on my game at home, hopefully I can back him up." McIlroy, meanwhile, will look to put last week's disappointment in Dubai firmly in the past this week.

The 20-year-old missed out on the inaugural Race to Dubai last week as Lee Westwood was in unstoppable form to win the season-ending Dubai World Championship to top the Order of Merit despite McIlroy's best efforts of four sub-70 rounds.

But the new world No10 has a chance to end the year on a high by coming out on top in China at the end four days of alternating foursomes and fourballs.

"It is very easy to stay motivated at the end of the year. I want to play the best I can for my partner, I don't want to let him down.

"Obviously we are playing for our country, which is a huge honour. I don't think there would be any reason why you wouldn't be motivated," said McIlroy.

"It's a new challenge for me. Graeme has played at Mission Hills before and I'm really looking forward to it.

"It's my first taste of the World Cup and I don't think there should be any reason why I shouldn't be motivated."