The number of teams competing in golf's Omega World Cup in China on November 22-25 has been increased from 24 to 28 but the tournament will no longer be part of the World Golf Championships series. A total of 18 countries will be exempt, based on next week's world rankings, and the other 10 will emerge from qualifying events in Asia and South America at the end of next month.That qualifying number will come down to nine should hosts China require an invitation to play.
With Open champion Padraig Harrington giving the event a miss for the first time since 1995 - he and Paul McGinley won in 1997 - Ireland could be among the nations having to qualify.
Their second highest-ranked player in the world at the moment is Graeme McDowell at 126th, followed by Darren Clarke at 143rd and McGinley at 164th.
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