GOLF DIGEST:WORLD CUP: The World Cup has gained extra prestige after changing to a biennial rather than an annual team event, according to 2010 US Open champion Graeme McDowell.

“I said two years ago I felt the World Cup was lacking respect, but this year’s field seems a lot stronger than it has in years gone by,” McDowell told reporters at Mission Hills in China yesterday ahead of tomorrow’s opening round.

“It is great to see teams supporting it. When you look at the flags at the back of the practice range and you see guys like Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus have won it, it kind of puts in perspective what kind of event this is.

“Given it is now a biennial event it gives guys perhaps a little extra time to prepare and get their schedules ready and come and support this event, because it is special and you’ll be having your names alongside some very special names if you win.”

McDowell said he and playing partner Rory McIlroy, this year’s US Open champion, were keen to take the trophy back to Ireland for the first time since Pádraig Harrington and Paul McGinley won in 1997.

“Rory and I are taking it very seriously and we would certainly love this to be on our resume,” said the world number 14.

The pair hope to go one better than the last edition two years ago when they were pipped on the final day by Italian brothers Francesco and Edoardo Molinari.

NEWS:Two weeks after he walked out of the Australian Open saying he had run out of balls, John Daly has turned down a chance to play in this week's South African Open.

Daly was due to appear at the Australian PGA Championship, but had his invitation withdrawn when officials took a dim view of him hitting six or seven balls – no one seemed sure how many – into a lake during his opening round in Sydney and quitting.

Tournament director Trevor Herden said: “It’s becoming a bit of a habit, but it’s unacceptable and I certainly hope that all the tours deal with it in the appropriate manner this time.”

Instead, however, an invitation was offered to Daly into the South African Open, but he decided not to make the trip and to wait until next week’s Hong Kong Open, another European Tour event, to make his return.