Ross Fisher is looking to put the disappointment of failing to make September's European Ryder Cup team behind him with a strong showing at the Omega Mission Hills World Cup, which starts here Thursday.

The highly rated 28-year-old, who enjoyed a stellar 2008 season on the European Tour with one win and a slew of other top-ten finishes, narrowly missed out on a berth in Nick Faldo's side at Valhalla.

But he believes he and partner Ian Poulter have what it takes to replicate the feat of countrymen Luke Donald and Paul Casey, who won the World Cup in 2004.

"We've turned up here to win," said Englishman Fisher, who captured his second Tour victory at the European Open in July. "I feel very confident in my ability, and likewise Ian, he's very confident.

"Representing your country is a massive honour and I want to fulfil my potential."

The duo will have their work cut out at Mission Hills, recognised as the biggest golf club in the world with twelve courses.

Also included in the 5.5-million-dollar tournament's 28-team field is the heavily fancied Swedish team of Robert Karlsson and Henrik Stenson, who are ranked sixth and 12th in the world respectively.

"We have only had one chance to play together before, in the Ryder Cup, and that worked well," said Karlsson, the 2008 European Order of Merit winner.

Colin Montgomerie, meanwhile, links up with a new partner in Alastair Forsyth for Scotland, and is looking to defend the title he won last year with Marc Warren after a gripping sudden-death play-off against the United States.

"I am looking forward immensely to defending the title with Alastair this time around," said Montgomerie, a team event specialist who has fallen outside the world's top 100 after a season to forget.

"It took a long time for Scotland to win the World Cup so winning in the play-off at Mission Hills was a wonderful feeling, very, very special."

Scotland will tee off in the first round of four-balls alongside China, who have grand plans of their own on home soil.

Represented by veteran Zhang Lianwei and last year's Asian Tour Order of Merit winner Liang Wenchong, the host nation is confident they can improve on last year, when they finished 11th.

"This year will be much better than 2007," said Zhang, a five-time Asian Tour winner who became the first Chinese player to appear at the Masters.

"Liang has more power in his game now. He has also gained a lot of experience in the majors and other big tournaments around the world. We will be looking to play well, especially in front of our home fans."

Liang, who fired a record-breaking round of 60 en route to winning this year's Hero Honda Indian Open, believes the key to success at the World Cup is compatibility.

"I always enjoy partnering Zhang," he said. "We feel very comfortable playing together and after our performance last year we're very much looking forward to returning. We know we can make an impact."

AFP

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