Marc Leishman admits breaking the news to Adam Scott that the former world No.1 wouldn't be playing for Australia at the World Cup of Golf was a difficult phone call to make.
But the pain was quickly eased when a heart-warming video chat with Cameron Smith laid the foundations of a bond Leishman believes could help deliver Australia a sixth World Cup title in Melbourne this week.
The top player from each of the 28 competing nations chooses their Cup teammate.
Leishman became Australian No.1 after Jason Day declined to play and he selected Smith over major winner Scott based on his superior world ranking and recent form.
"Cam pretty much made it impossible for me not to pick him,"Leishman said.
World No.21 Leishman, the highest-ranked player in the field, said he and Smith had developed a close friendship that would serve them well during the two-man teams event.
Team chemistry is vital given the World Cup format is foursomes (alternate shot) on the first and third rounds, while the second and fourth rounds are four-ball (best ball).
"Having similar personalities off the golf course (is an advantage)," Leishman said.
"On it we're both very determined and competitive people and I think that will (bode) well."
Another edge the Australians have is their knowledge of Metropolitan, an iconic Melbourne sand belt layout.
But the pair grew up playing a firm and fast version of Metropolitan, while Cup organiser the PGA Tour will have the course playing soft to allow for plenty of birdies.
"It's going to play different but I think it's still an advantage to know the wind and the heaviness of it, which can be a pretty brutal," Leishman said.
Australia last won the Cup under a different format when former world No.1s Day and Scott combined to lift the trophy at Royal Melbourne in 2013.
This week, Australia are the betting favourites given Leishman and world No.33 Smith are in good form.
Leishman romped to a five-shot win at the PGA Tour's recent CIMB Classic in Malaysia, while Smith fought back from a sloppy start to share 10th at last week's Australian Open.
However, Australia will face stiff competition from tournament heavyweights England, whose team will feature Ryder Cup hero Ian Poulter and rising star Tyrrell Hatton.
American duo Matt Kuchar and Kyle Stanley also loom as a force, as do defending champions Thorbjorn Olesen and Soren Kjeldsen for Denmark.
The World Cup is an unofficial PGA Tour event featuring a $US7 million ($A9.6m) prize purse with $US1.1m ($A1.5m) going to each member of the winning team.
Australian Associated Press
