FUN is the buzz word for England at the Mission Hills World Cup, but when the serious business begins today Ian Poulter and Ross Fisher know solid performances can further enhance their Ryder Cup pedigree.
Poulter and Fisher combined well 12 months ago in southern China to finish sixth over the undulating Olazabal course, with a solid week rounded off by an impressive final foursomes round. And with both heading into the 28-team tournament on the bac
k of recent wins, confidence and camaraderie is high with a victory certain to catch the attention of Ryder Cup captain and former World Cup winner Colin Montgomerie.
"I don't think we got off to a great start last year but we went from strength to strength and finished really strong," said world No 20 Fisher. "But we were both still disappointed not to finish inside the top three or even win.
"Now we are coming back both in good form. Ian just had a win, I've just had a win and we have both had good seasons on the European Tour.
"We have got to go out and play aggressive golf in the fourballs and play steady golf in the foursomes. This week is all about having fun and having a go and I'm sure we will do that."
Fisher's win at the Volvo World Match Play Championship in Spain last month came just hours after 2004 Ryder Cup winner Poulter ended a three-year drought in Singapore, meaning both are currently in the automatic qualify positions for Celtic Manor.
"Hopefully I can play myself into the Ryder Cup team but all I can do is take one tournament at a time and hopefully that will be good enough," added 2009 Vivendi Trophy winner Fisher, who is chasing a maiden Ryder Cup appearance.
"I will think about the Ryder Cup more next year when it is a Ryder Cup year, but this is obviously a good stepping stone. If me and Ian can have a good week, maybe Colin will be looking at it. I've also won the Match Play which is a massive boost for me."
Sweden's Henrik Stenson, as world No 7 the highest ranked player in the field, and Robert Karlsson return to defend the title they won last year, while Sergio Garcia forms a formidable Spanish team with Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano.
Ireland boast the equally impressive combination of Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell, while Scotland are represented by David Drysdale and Alastair Forsyth. "It's a stronger field this year for sure," said Players Championship winner Stenson. "It feels like you could find the winner in 10, 12, 14 teams."
Karlsson, out for four months earlier this season with an eye injury, enjoyed a welcome return to form last week, losing a play-off to Challenge Tour number one Edoardo Molinari at the Dunlop Phoenix in Japan.
Molinari also tees up this week for Italy alongside brother Francesco.
World number eight Garcia is looking to end a winless and testing 2009 on a high by helping Spain better the second place achieved by Miguel Angel Jimenez and Pablo Larrazabal last year.
"It's been a hard year but, at the same time, it's been positive," he said. "It's made me grow a lot, not only as a player but as a person. Looking at the results it has not been a good year.
"But I feel like my game in the past three and a half months has been improving and that's positive for next year.
"There are a lot of good teams out there this week. But we also have a good team, we should be proud of that. So if we manage to use our talent and the capabilities we have, we should be contenders for the title."
The United States have won the World Cup more times than any other nation but have drawn a blank since Tiger Woods and David Duval secured a 23rd title in 2000.
Nick Watney, who finished 12th on the 2009 US PGA money list, teams up with John Merrick to try and end the longest title drought for the US in the history of the event.
The Korean pairing of Yang Yong-eun and Charlie Wi look to have the best chance of the nine Asian teams vying to prevent the trophy leaving the continent.
Today's opening round will be played in a fourball format, while tomorrow will feature foursomes. The same pattern will be repeated for the last two rounds over the weekend.
