(AP) — Ben Curtis had so much fun playing for his country that he wants to do it again.

Curtis, who went 1-1-1 in his Ryder Cup debut last month, has selected Brandt Snedeker to be his partner for the World Cup, which will be played in China during the week of Thanksgiving.

Six other Americans turned down the long trip, and Curtis wasn't sure he would be able to go without the right partner. He wound up with Snedeker, who is becoming a world traveler this time of year.

"I am very excited to be playing with Ben and representing our country in this event," Snedeker said. "In our sport, you don't get the opportunity too many times to compete for your country, and this is going to be a thrill for me. I think it will also be a good experience as a I work hard to reach my goal of making the next Ryder Cup, and perhaps next year's Presidents Cup teams."

The Americans have won 23 times since the World Cup began in 1953, but their last victory came in Argentina in 2000 behind Tiger Woods and David Duval. A year ago in China, Boo Weekley and Heath Slocum lost in a playoff to Scotland.

Colin Montgomerie returns for the defending champions, this time with Alastair Forsyth. Other teams include Ian Poulter and Ross Fisher for England; Henrik Stenson and Robert Karlsson for Sweden; and Rory Sabbatini and Richard Sterne for South Africa. Sabbatini led South Africa to the World Cup with Trevor Immelman in 2003.

As for Snedeker? The World Cup will be the end of a month on the other side of the world.

He is getting married this weekend, then plays the Kiwi Challenge in New Zealand on Oct. 28-29. Then it's off to Fiji for his honeymoon, followed by a trip to Japan for the Dunlop Phoenix before meeting up with Curtis in China.

CALC'S KNEE: Mark Calcavecchia made it five years before another knee surgery.

He was to have athroscopic surgery Tuesday in Phoenix to repair the torn medial meniscus in his left knee, his first surgery since 2003 but the fifth since 1985. He expects it will take four to six weeks to recover, but that won't stop him from defending his title in the Merrill Lynch Shootout with partner Woody Austin.

"I'm not sure how much cartilage will be left after this," Calcavecchia said. "I'll play the Merrill Lynch in a wheelchair if I have to, but I've got plenty of time to get ready for it."

The Merrill Lynch Shootout has been pushed back this year to Dec. 11-14.

Calcavecchia played with pain most of the year, withdrawing from the U.S. Open and Turning Stone Championship two weeks ago when he couldn't take it anymore. He is 48, but has one omen on his side for next year.

"My recent 'even' years haven't been too good, but the 'odd' years have been," he said. "So I'm looking forward to '09."