George Coetzee’s top 30s at the Nedbank Golf Challenge and DP World Tour Championship gave him a confidence boost, but this week he’ll face a different challenge at the World Cup of Golf.
The three-time European Tour winner will partner with Jaco van Zyl over four days at The Heath in Melbourne, Australia. Rounds one and three are played in a foursomes (alternate shots) format, rounds two and four are betterball.
Coetzee and Van Zyl have toured together for many years, both locally and on the European Tour circuit. They bring a strong combination of finesse and power, and should gel easily as a team.
Next stop world cup. #represent #teamsouthafrica #worldcupgolf #worldcup #proudlysouthafrican @jacovanzylgolf @worldcupgolf pic.twitter.com/AEGukeq1Gq
— George Coetzee (@gcoetzeegolf) November 20, 2016
Van Zyl competed alongside Brandon Stone at the Rio Olympics, but that was a stroke-play tournament. He’ll need to rely on his partner hitting good shots, and vice versa.
There are strong partnerships in the field this week. Belgium has Thomas Pieters and Nicolas Colsaerts, America has Rickie Fowler and Jimmy Walker.
Adam Scott and Marc Leishman are competing in their back yard this week, which makes them undoubted favourites, spurred on by the local crowds.
Nextdoor neighbours Japan have a strong team in Hideki Matsuyam and Ryo Ishikawa, while Spain’s John Rahm and Rafa Cabrera-Bello are undoubtedly strong.
