Scott chose Leishman as his playing partner after World No.1 Jason Day withdrew from the Cup and the Emirates Australian Open to allow healing time for this injured back. 

Leishman, who was paired with Scott when he won his green jacket at The Masters in 2013, will be making his first World Cup of Golf appearance. Winner of the 2012 Travelers Championship on the PGA Tour, Leishman has five other international victories, including his most recent at the 2015 Nedbank Golf Challenge in South Africa on the European Tour last December. He was also voted Rookie of the Year in 2009 on the PGA Tour after three top-10 finishes, including a runner-up finish to Tiger Woods at the BMW Championship.

Scott and Leishman were teammates on the International Team at The Presidents Cup in 2013 and in 2015. The two were paired together in 2015 during the Saturday foursomes where they defeated Bubba Watson and J.B. Holmes 1-up.

“I’m extremely excited about playing in the World Cup of Golf with Adam. I can’t wait to represent my country back home in Australia,” Leishman said. “Also, my best to Jason for a quick recovery.”

“It’s (Kingston Heath) probably in the top-3, to be honest. Along with Augusta National Golf Club and St. Andrews. Kingston Heath is not long, it’s a very fun golf course and you can shoot really low there.

“You’ll have a lot of wedges in your hand – you have to be really precise.”

Marc Leishman and Adam Scott paired successfully at The Presidents Cup in 2015. PHOTO: Getty Images

The 2016 World Cup of Golf will return to a 72-hole, stroke play, two-man team event format.  The first and third days of competition will be the foursomes (alternate shot) format and the second and final days are fourball (best ball) play.

Day withdrew from the Cup and Open after tearing a ligament in his back towards the end of the 2016 PGA Tour season, forcing his withdrawal from the BMW Championship and the Tour Championship. He has been advised to rest until 2017. The prognosis for a successful return to playing is not at issue, but the timing of the long trip to Australia in the midst of his rehabilitation and rest period was not recommended.

“I regret that I will be unable to come home to Australia this year. I was looking forward to playing in the Australian Open and teaming up with Adam Scott on one of my favourite courses Kingston Heath the following week at the World Cup in Melbourne,” Day said in a statement.

“My plan is to return home to Australia in 2017. My best wishes to all in Sydney at the Open and to Adam and Team Australia in Melbourne at the World Cup.”