World Cup of Golf: Ranking the 28 Teams

No. 10 — Belgium: Thomas Pieters (44) and Nicolas Colsaerts (136)

If there was a European Tour stock market, it still might not be too late to consider buying on Thomas Pieters. The young Belgian was either winning events or coming darn close just about every week this summer and held up well on the big stages at the Olympics and Ryder Cup. His playing partner, Colsaerts, isn’t the same guy we came to know when he had an emergence of his own a few years back. He isn’t a total scrub either, though. Particularly in foursomes if Colsaerts can rein in his power, Pieters’ putting (34th in putts per round on the European Tour in 2016) could strike a winning balance this week.

No. 9 — Denmark: Soren Kjeldsen (50) and Thorbjorn Olesen (70)

No. 8 — Japan: Hideki Matsuyama (6) and Ryo Ishikawa (99)

Let’s take a look at Hideki’s past five weeks, shall we? Fifth place, first, second, first, first. I know two of those wins came on the Japan Tour, but another came against an elite field at the HSBC Champions the week after he nearly won at the PGA Tour’s CIMB Classic in Malaysia. If Matsuyama can stay out of his own way on the greens, he could lead Japan to a high finish this week. His playing partner could use this week as a stepping stone on the path back to relevance. Golf fans remember trying to learn how to pronounce his first name because we were told we’d be hearing a lot of it. Well, that’s not true, but he’s only a year-and-a-half older than Matsuyama and appears back on track with two wins in Japan in 2016 and a top-10 finish at the CIMB. Keep an eye out for this duo come Sunday.

No. 7 — Thailand: Thongchai Jaidee (49) and Kiradech Aphibarnrat (75)

No. 6 — Australia: Adam Scott (7) and Marc Leishman (53)

For a golfer with such an exclusive playing schedule like Scott’s, it’s admittedly a little surprising to see him tee it up this week. Nonetheless, by now it should be an event he’s fond of. He teamed up with Jason Day to run the tables in 2013 and is back to defend with former Presidents Cup playing partner, Marc Leishman. They’ll also have the support of the Australian galleries. It’s easy to forget how good Scott was playing this spring when he won back-to-back events and Leishman has developed into one of the game’s more steady players. If they’re both motivated, low scores could be in line for the Aussies.

No. 5 — Ireland: Shane Lowry (42), Graeme McDowell (81)

No. 4 — Sweden: Alex Noren (9) and David Lingmerth (65)