USA Rallies to Win World Cup


The American duo of Matt Kuchar and Gary Woodland closed with a 5-under 67 in Sunday's foursomes (alternate-shot) matches to win the Omega Mission Hills World Cup. The biennial, $7.5 million event took place on the Blackstone Course at Mission Hills on Hainan Island, China.

The Yanks posted six birdies and a bogey Sunday to finish at 24-under 264, two shots ahead of England (Ian Poulter and Justin Rose), who had a remarkable 9-under 63, and the German tandem of Martin Kaymer and Alex Cejka (69).

The Irish team of Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell enjoyed a two-stroke lead heading into the final round, but had a tough day with four birdies and a like number of bogeys. They finished tied for fourth at 267 with Australia (Richard Green and Brendon Jones - 69), the Netherlands (Robert-Jan Derksen and Joost Luiten - 68) and Scotland (Stephen Gallacher and Martin Laird - 66).

Starting the final round just two shots back of Ireland, South Africa (2011 Masters champion Charl Schwartzel and 2010 British Open winner Louis Oosthuizen) could only muster a 74 and fell down the leaderboard into 12th at 17-under 271.

Defending champion Italy (brothers Francesco and Edoardo Molinari) shot a disappointing 2-over 74 to finish in 17th at 14-under 274.

The victory was the first for the Americans in the World Cup since Tiger Woods and David Duval 11 years ago. "We really clicked. It's fantastic to win for the U.S.," Woodland said.

Kuchar said the critical point in the match came after their bogey on the par-3 11th when they birdied the next two holes and got all pars the rest of the way. "Undoubtedly the shots on the 12 and 13th were key. It was a great moment and to shoot a par when you expected a bogey," Kuchar said.

Kuchar and Woodland return home with a nice payday, splitting the $2.5 million first-place prize, the richest in Asian golf.

For all the scores, visit http://worldcup.pgatour.com/leaderboard.aspx.