Fatiha Betscher at Haikou in China.
The American team of Matt Kuchar and Gary Woodland continued the U.S. domination winning the Mission Hills World Cup at Haikou, China.
The duo ended an 11-year Team USA winless drought to win by two strokes with a final round 65 for a 24-under par winning tally on the Blackstone course.
Gary Woodland and Matt Kuchar celebrate the USA winning for a 24th occasion. (Photo - www.golfbytourmiss.com)
It is the 24th time in the 56-event history of the event America has claimed the trophy and Kuchar and Woodland are the 17th different Stars and Stripes combination to win the World Cup.
“You think of all the sporting events, and you think of all the teams that become world champions, and in golf there are not that many opportunities to be world champions,” said Kuchar.
“So to represent the United States of America and become world champions just feels great.”
The American duo began the final round two strokes behind the Ireland team of Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell and after birding the opening two holes on the Blackstone course they burst clear of their 27 nation rivals with back-to-back birdies at five and six.
From thereon they were never headed ahead of being fitted with the traditional gold coloured jacket and first prize cheque each of $US 1.2m.
“On Saturday we really clicked together and played a great round and when Matt got up-and-down at the last that gave us the momentum into today’s final round,” said Woodland.
“So we came out today to birdie the first two holes and that really got us going.”
The England team of Ian Poulter and Justin Rose produced the lowest round of the day, a nine under par 63 to share second place on 22-under par with Germany’s Martin Kaymer and Alex Cejka who carded a 69.
McIlroy and McDowell, who led going into the final day, struggled under the weight of four bogeys in a level par 72 for a share of fourth place at 21-under par.
Also fourth was the Australian side of Richard Green and Brendan Jones with a 69, the Scottish duo of Martin Laird and Stephen Gallacher, who signed off with a 66, and Holland’s Joost Luiten and Robert Jan Derksen who recorded a 68.
