Adam Scott and Marc Leishman to tackle American duo Rickie Fowler and Jimmy Walker in World Cup of Golf foursomes

THE World Cup of Golf is set for a blockbuster opening with Australia to take on team USA in Thursday’s foursomes with the home team looking to go back-to-back.

THE World Cup of Golf is set for a blockbuster opening with Australia to take on team USA in Thursday’s foursomes with the home team looking to go back-to-back.

Adam Scott and Marc Leishman will tackle American stars Rickie Fowler and PGA Champion Jimmy Walker in the Thursday foursomes to try and gain an early advantage in the team competition.

All four were out on Kingston Heath yesterday in consistent rain as Fowler and Walker tried to get used to a course their Aussie opponents have taken to dozens of times.

Adam Scott tees off during a practice round ahead of the 2016 World Cup of Golf at Kingston Heath. Picture: Getty Images

Fowler took the time to use several clubs off the various tees as he worked out his lines on what is, for most tour players, a shortish course, acknowledging the need to “think his way around”.

Walker, who last played in Australia at the 2007 Jacobs Creek Open at Kooyonga in South Australia, likened the layout to that venue and was really impressed with what he saw.

Scott and Leishman re-united having not seen each other since before the first round of the HSBC Champions event in Shanghai last month.

Intensity is lifting at Kingston Heath as more teams started pouring in to the course yesterday, including England’s Chris Wood and Andy Sullivan, who landed from Dubai and “weren’t in any condition to play golf”.

Their preparation is in stark contrast to the Japanese pair of world number six Hideki Matsuyama and Ryo Ishikawa who got to Melbourne last Tuesday.

They have spent so much time at Kingston Heath that a six-hour putting session by Matsuyama on Sunday left his footprints burned in to the practice green.

Adam Scott and Marc Leishman plot their assault on the World Cup of Golf. Picture: Getty Images

Despite limited playing time around Kingston Heath Fowler, who spent Monday at nearby Yarra Yarra before getting around the course yesterday, said comfort shouldn’t be an issue.

“Australia, looking at it overall, it probably my favourite pace outside the US,” Fowler said.

“I haven’t played a whole lot on the sand belt. I played at Yarra Yarra a few years back and we went and played Royal Melbourne for fun. But I love the whole sand belt area, the look of it and the links-style feel. Links golf is my favourite style of golf.”

“And Jimmy (Walker) is one of my best friends, we’re looking forward to spending time on the course and off the course, and really soaking up the whole week.”

Englishman Wood, who will take on the Italian pair of Francesco Molinari and Matteo Manassero tomorrows with his teammate Andy Sullivan, said lingering tensions over his choice of playing partner won’t hold them back this week.

The surprise last minute withdrawal of Masters champ Danny Willett last weekend in Dubai opened the door for Wood to lead the English charge.

Rickie Fowler looms as a huge stumbling block for the Aussies on day one. Picture: Getty Images

Wood, world number 37, chose good mate Sullivan, who is 40th as his partner leaving former world number one Lee Westwood, who was Willett’s original partner, out in the cold.

Yesterday Wood said he hadn’t spoken to Westwood, but stood by his decision.

“I can understand lee’s frustration but it was Dan (Willett) who pulled out which affected him, nothing to do with me,” Wood said.

“Dan got the choice to pick three or four months ago and looked past the likes of myself … nothing was made of it.

“I was the next guy in the rankings and when I got the choice, Sulli was the next guy after me, I felt that was the right way to do it, and I’m happy he is here.”

Plenty of players were left confounded by Melbourne’s changing weather after his blustery conditions on Monday turned to cold and wintery yesterday.

Consistent rain fell throughout their practice rounds but the forecast is for cloudy but dry conditions when the tournament begins and for the weekend.