Donald confident ahead of World Cup

England's Luke Donald will celebrate his 29th birthday on Thursday by looking to claim a second World Cup title in three years in Barbados.

Donald partnered Walker Cup and Ryder Cup team-mate Paul Casey to victory in 2004 and finished second with David Howell in the rain-shortened event in Portugal last year.

The world number nine has won almost a million dollars in those two appearances in the two-man, 24-team event, and he and Howell will start as favourites when the contest gets under way at Sandy Lane with the opening round of fourballs.

Donald said: 'Obviously, it was frustrating to only play 54 holes last year. We played very well together and would have loved to have a crack at it on the Sunday. Hopefully, the weather will be better this year although I've heard it's not going to be great.'

He added: 'There are numerous strong teams and we obviously feel we are one of them. But if you don't play well then you won't win.

Ryder Cup team-mates and 1997 winners Padraig Harrington and Paul McGinley will team up again for Ireland.

Scotland are represented by Colin Montgomerie and 2006 European Tour rookie of the year Marc Warren, with Montgomerie making his first appearance in the event since 1999.