It’s a strange time of year on the golfing calendar. No sooner had the European Tour finished for 2008 than the Race to Dubai started in China in earnest. As the weeks go by it’s difficult to know which event is affiliated to which tour and plenty names are missing as they take a well earned break in the tax havens around the world.

So, where does the golf World Cup stand in all this? Well, it’s not included in the Race to Dubai, but 28 teams of 2 do battle for $5 million worth of prize money and a bit of national pride to boot.

The tournament’s still out in the far east as the Mission Hills Country Club in China hosts the event. This shouldn’t have too much affect on the betting as the players have been playing all their latest golf in that part of the world and should be well acclimatised.

The format of the event sees 36 holes each of foursomes and fourballs, there’s no individual competition and no cut. The fourballs are played on Thursday and Saturday and the foursomes Friday and Sunday.

When approaching this format from a betting perspective you need to look at the teams and how they complement each other. If you look at the top of the betting, Sweden and England are 4/1 each a two. The Swedes are both huge hitters in the shape of European Order of Merit winner Robert Karlsson and world number 12 Henrik Stenson. Both this and their combined Ryder Cup experiences should help them here on this mammoth Mission Hills layout and look worthy joint-favourites.

The English duo of Poulter and Fisher also look a strong pair. Ross Fisher’s length off the tee and Ian Poulter’s combative style of play could make this a dream team.

You might be better placed though to invest your well earned cash on a few longer priced options , with Thailand and Italy eyecatching runners.

Prayad Marksaeng comes here off the back of a victory in Japan last week and with European Tour regular Thongchai Jaidee by his side make a very attractive pairing at 14/1.

The Italians are an even bigger price at 33/1 and very much fall under the ‘outsider’ category. The Molinari Brother’s sound like a circus act, but there’ll be no clowning around here with Francesco losing in a play-off in last weeks Hong Kong Open. Their week will very much depend on older brother Edouardo if they’re going to climb into the places and they’ll definitely have to improve on their ‘down the field’ finish in this event last year.

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