Golf: S'pore could sit out World Cup

SINGAPORE - Singapore may not be represented at the World Cup of Golf in November in Melbourne.

The Republic's top three players lie outside the qualifying spot and, unless they break into the projected world ranking, they will have to sit out the event. Currently Singapore's top three players, Mardan Mamat, Quincy Quek and Lam Chih Bing are ranked 434th, 632nd and 642nd respectively.

Angelo Que of the Philippines is in the running to qualify. He finished second and third at the Aboitiz Invitational and ICTSI Mount Malarayat Classic respectively last month to earn six Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points. He moved up 40 spots in the rankings to 340th position.

If the World Cup qualifying cut from the OWGR was made on Wednesday, Que will represent the Philippines alongside 2011 Asian Tour Order of Merit winner, Juvic Pagunsan, who is ranked 224th in the world.

Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand, who holds an unprecedented three Asian Tour Order of Merit titles, and Kiradech Aphibarnrat, the current Order of Merit leader who is placed 77th, will fly the Thai flag in US$8 million ($9.6m) showpiece at the Royal Melbourne Golf Club from Nov 21 to 24.

The cut-off for the top-60 field is projected to be around 340th position.

This year's World Cup sees a change in qualifying criteria with eligibility taken from the OWGR. Up to four players can qualify, per country, if they are in the top 15 of the OWGR.

For players who are ranked beyond 15th, only a maximum of two players per country can qualify. If two or more players from a country qualify, then the country is eligible for the team competition, with the top-two players comprising the qualified team.

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