Inside the Ropes: U.S. aims for back-to-back World Cup titles

Matt Kuchar had to settle for half of what he wanted.

When Kuchar and Gary Woodland gave the United States its first title since 2000 in the World Cup of Golf two years ago, he was hoping they would get the chance to repeat this week at Royal Melbourne.

"Representing my country is a real honor whether in the Ryder Cup, the Presidents Cup or the World Cup," Kuchar said after the Americans beat Ian Poulter and Justin Rose of England, and Martin Kaymer and Alex Cejka of Germany by two strokes at Mission Hills Golf Club in Haikou, China. "It was a great experience to win the World Cup in 2011 with Gary Woodland, and (we are) looking forward to defending at Royal Melbourne.

"For Gary and I to put our name on this trophy, on the World Cup trophy, alongside of Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player and Tiger Woods and David Duval and Davis (Love) and Freddie (Couples) and the list goes on and on, it's a real honor."

Kuchar, as the highest-ranked American who wanted the make the trip in 2011, got to pick his partner and chose wisely, as Woodland played lights out all the way through the tournament.

This year, Kuchar again had to wait until the likes of Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and the other Americans ahead of him in the World Golf Rankings decided they didn't want to travel all the way to Australia the week before Thanksgiving.

However, this time, instead of being able to choose his partner, the ninth-ranked Kuchar had to take the next-highest ranked player who wanted to be on the team, leaving No. 71 Woodland out of luck.

After Jason Dufner, Zach Johnson, Jim Furyk, Keegan Bradley, Webb Simpson, Dustin Johnson, Hunter Mahan, Bubba Watson, Nick Watney, Billy Haas and Rickie Fowler said no, No. 41 Kevin Streelman jumped at the chance.

"Yes extremely excited," Streelman tweeted when asked about representing the United States. "This is my first opportunity to represent my country in a globally staged golf event. It's going to be awesome!

"I plan on doing the entire Carlton dance (from 'The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air' television show) if and when we win!!!"

That will be easier said than done with Masters champion Adam Scott and Jason Day representing home team Australia, and Francesco Molinari teaming with Matteo Manassero in an effort to regain the title he won for Italy with his brother, Edoardo Molinari, in 2009 at Mission Hills Golf Club in Shenzhen, China.

Other top teams include Graeme McDowell and Shane Lowry of Ireland, Angel Cabrera and Emiliano Grillo of Argentina, Branden Grace and George Coetzee of South Africa, Thomas Bjorn and Thorbjorn Olesen of Denmark, David Lynn and Chris Wood of England, K.J. Choi and Sang-Moon Bae of South Korea, Miguel Angel Jimenez and Rafael Cabrera Bello of Spain, Jonas Blixt and Peter Hanson of Sweden, Kiradech Aphibarnrat and Thaworn Wiratchant of Thailand, Ryo Ishikawa and Hideto Tanihara of Japan, and Martin Laird and Stephen Gallacher of Scotland.

"I'm genuinely excited about playing in the World Cup and can't wait to make my debut at Royal Melbourne," said the 20-year-old Manassero, who has four win on the European Tour.

"It's not often that you get the chance to play for your country as well as yourself, so I really want to play well and help make it a great week for Italy. When Edoardo and Francesco won in 2009, it was huge news in Italy, so hopefully I can help bring the trophy back home again."

The tournament was first played in 1953 as the Canada Cup, and except for 1986, it continued every year until 2009, when it became a biennial event.

Argentina's Roberto DiVicenzo and Antonio Cerda claimed the first title at Royal Montreal Golf Club, but the United States has dominated with 24 victories, winning five in a row from 1960-64 behind the likes of Nicklaus, Palmer, Sam Snead and Jimmy Demaret.

South Africa is second with five titles, while Spain and Australia are tied at four.

Couples and Love were the most successful team in the event's history, winning it four consecutive times from 1992-95.

However, since Woods and Duval claimed the title in 2000 at Buenos Aires Golf Club in Argentina, the Americans were winless until Kuchar and Woodland ended the drought.

"I hope that (we) can start a tradition here, that Fred Couples and Davis Love started years ago, and won I think (four) years in a row," Kuchar said.

This week, Kuchar would settle for two.