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Sports

Wednesday September 9, 2009

Team line-ups take shape for World Cup in China

BEIJING: Asia’s first Major winner Yang Yong-eun is looking to cap a superb year by representing South Korea at the Omega Mission Hills World Cup in November, as the team line-ups take shape.

Yong-eun, who held off world number one Tiger Woods to win the US PGA Championship this year, will partner Charlie Wi at the US$5.5mil event in China from Nov 26-29.

Other names teeing off include world number six Henrik Stenson partnering Robert Karlsson as Sweden defend their title, and world number seven Sergio Garcia spearheading the Spanish armada.

Only one Asian nation since 1972 has won the event — Japan in 2002 — but with a first Major under his belt Yong-eun is well equipped to help Korea challenge to be world champions.

“It is a great honour and also a privilege to join a group of esteemed golfers and compete for my country,” said Yang.

“It is also a pleasure to play side by side with my best buddy in the PGA Tour, Charlie Wi.

“I hope that together with Charlie, who has been playing some exceptional golf this year, we will try hard to make our fellow Koreans and Asians proud.”

Sweden’s hopes of defending their title have been boosted by the news that Karlsson is on the brink of a return to competitive action after a lengthy injury lay-off and will be fit to partner Stenson.

Karlsson has not played since the European Open in May because of vision and balance problems but has confirmed his participation.

“It was a great experience to partner Henrik at the World Cup. It turned out to be a special day for us and for Sweden,” said Karlsson.

Stenson added: “I am really looking forward to going back to defend with him — if both he and I can bring some game back to China there is no reason why we can’t repeat it.”

All 19 exempt nations have confirmed which players will represent them.

Garcia will partner Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano while Ian Poulter will represent England with Ross Fisher.

Northern Ireland’s young star Rory McIlroy tees off alongside Graeme McDowell while Robert Allenby and Stuart Appleby play for Australia.

India has Jeev Milkha Singh and Jyoti Randhawa on their team while current Race to Dubai leader Martin Kaymer, the world number 13, is back with Alex Cejka as Germany’s representatives. — AFP

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