“Fans in Australia can expect a thrilling and unique competition as we watch Marc Leishman and Cameron Smith look to reclaim the title on their home soil against Matt Kuchar, Ian Poulter, Branden Grace and many of the world’s top players,” said Executive Director Robyn Cooper.

“But it’s just as exciting to see countries represented where golf is still growing in popularity. To have the top-ranked players competing from countries like Malaysia, Mexico and India shows just how committed those players are to growing the game in their respective nations, and they have a great opportunity to do so on a global stage at the World Cup.”

The 2018 ISPS HANDA Melbourne World Cup of Golf will be contested at The Metropolitan Golf Club in Melbourne from November 21-25, 2018. The 59th staging of the event will see the 56-player field vie for the largest prize-money purse in Australian golf, with US$7 million on offer.

Known for his clutch play and fiery personality in the Ryder Cup, Poulter will make his sixth appearance on the European team next week in advance of the ISPS HANDA Melbourne World Cup of Golf. On the PGA Tour, the 42-year-old has had one of his best seasons to date, winning his first stroke-play Tour event at the Houston Open and adding three other top-10 results, including a T5 at the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play and a T10 at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational.

“I'm obviously delighted to accept Tyrrell's invitation to partner him at the World Cup and to represent England,” Poulter said. “Anyone who knows me is well aware of how much I love team competition and representing my continent and my country. I think we will make a good team. We both play aggressive golf and try and make birdies which is something you need to do in any team event.”

RIGHT: Poulter last played in the World Cup in 2011 and is delighted to be making his return to the competition. PHOTO: Ian Walton/Getty Images.

It will be Poulter’s first appearance in the World Cup of Golf since 2011, where he and Justin Rose finished two shots behind the United States team of Matt Kuchar and Gary Woodland. Poulter will look to steer England toward its third World Cup of Golf title and first since 2004 when Paul Casey and Luke Donald teamed up to win in Spain.

“It will be great to go back to Australia too. I love playing down there – Melbourne has some of the best golf courses in the world,” he added. “The Aussies are mad for their sport, too. There's something very special for any England team to win in Australia no matter what the sport is so that will be another little incentive for us as well.”

Currently, Poulter is joined by a past Ryder Cup teammate in former World No. 1 and two-time major champion Kaymer, who has represented the European Team on four occasions and will make his fifth appearance representing Germany in the World Cup of Golf. Denmark’s Olesen is set to make his first Ryder Cup start having qualified for fellow Dane and captain Thomas Bjorn’s team.

“Anyone who knows me is well aware of how much I love team competition and representing my continent and my country." – Ian Poulter

“The Melbourne Sandbelt is a world-renowned destination for golf and we can’t wait to welcome players from across the globe to the region for the 2018 World Cup of Golf,” said Minister of Tourism and Major Events John Eren.

“The World Cup of Golf, and the upcoming 2019 Presidents Cup, ensure Melbourne maintains its position as Australia’s sporting capital, with visitors filling our hotels and restaurants and delivering jobs for the people of Victoria.”

The 72-hole stroke play team format will feature Four-ball (best ball) play in the first and third rounds and Foursomes (alternate shot) play in the second and final rounds. In 2016, Danes Søren Kjeldsen and Thorbjørn Olesen shot a final-round 66 in foursomes at Kingston Heath to win Denmark’s first World Cup of Golf title by four strokes over the United States, China and France.

Australia has won the World Cup of Golf five times, with Scott and Day the most recent winners in 2013 at Royal Melbourne with Leishman and Scott finishing tied for ninth at Kingston Heath in 2016.