World Cup - Ones to watch

Swedish duo Stenson (L) and Karlsson celebrate their victory in 2008

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For the third year in a row, the Omega World Cup is off to China where Robert Karlsson and Henrik Stenson team-up to defend the crown they won so brilliantly last November.

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The Swedish duo combined to post a best-of-day 63 in the closing round at Mission Hills having started the final 18 holes six strokes off the pace.

The six-year-old Mission Hills course is well-bunkered, has many tree-lined fairways but few water hazards.

It was also co-designed by two-time major winner Jose Maria Olazabal and is one of 11 layouts at the resort.

The tournament was founded by Canadian industrialist John Jay Hopkins in 1953 and known at its inception as the Canada Cup. The first winners were Argentina, represented by Antonio Cerda and Roberto De Vicenzo, and it wasn't until 1967 that the event changed its name to the World Cup.

So which other nations are expected to go well this year?

DENMARK (S.Kjeldsen/S.Hansen): The two Sorens could well be the dark horses in China. Hansen has had a brace of top-three finishes since September, while Kjeldsen is among the world's top 40.

ENGLAND (I.Poulter/R.Fisher): Will probably tee-up on Thursday as the pre-tournament favourites. The pair are ranked inside the world's top 25 with each tasting European Tour success during early autumn. Poulter and Fisher were sixth in this event last year.

GERMANY (A.Cejka/M.Kaymer): The Germans usually raise their games for team golf. Kaymer has performed well since returning from injury last month, while Cejka certainly has moments of inspiration. The pair teamed-up to finish fifth in the competition 12 months ago.

IRELAND (G.McDowell/R.McIlroy): Rory may feel a little deflated after failing to end the season as European No 1 but the duo are still more than capable of winning a third World Cup title for Ireland.

ITALY (F.Molinari/E.Molinari): The in-form Molinari brothers will be full of confidence. Francesco has just ended his best season ever, after posting five top-threes and finishing 14th in the Race to Dubai standings. Elder sibling Edoardo arrives in China fresh from a play-off victory over Robert Karlsson in Japan at the weekend.

KOREA (Y.E.Yang/C.Wi): In a year when Yang became the first Asian golfer to win a major championship, can he lift the confidence of partner Wi who has not posted a top-10 finish since May?

SOUTH AFRICA (R.Sabbatini/R.Sterne): The South Africans are always a threat in the World Cup although Sterne's form of late has been mediocre.

SPAIN (S.Garcia/G.F'dez-Castano): Sergio Garcia finished seventh in Dubai at the weekend while F'dez-Castano ended the European Tour season 17th in the money list. Spain, Europe's most successful nation in World Cup history with four wins, has not tasted victory since 1984.