Story highlights
U.S. pair of Matt Kuchar and Gary Woodland win golf's World Cup
They shoot final round 67 in foursomes to win by two shots
Germany and England finish tied for second after strong final rounds
Overnight leaders Ireland slip back to a tie for fourth
The United States pair of Matt Kuchar and Gary Woodland came charging through the field with a final round five-under-par 67 to win golf’s World Cup in China.
It was the first win for the U.S. in the competition since Tiger Woods and David Duval in 2000 and a record 24th overall.
England’s Ian Poulter and Justin Rose carded a best-of-the-day 63 in the alternate shot foursomes format to share second place with Germany, two shots behind the winning pair.
Greame McDowell and Rory McIlroy led overnight for Ireland, but a disappointing level-par 72 saw them fall back into a tie for fourth with Scotland, the Netherlands and Australia, a further shot back.
Kuchar, who was part of the winning U.S. team at the Presidents Cup last week, and Woodland carded six birdies against a single bogey at Mission Hills Resort on Hainan Island to finish on 24-under-par 264.
Ireland, looking to improve on their runners-up spot to defending champions Italy from 2009, were left to rue a pair of short par putts missed by U.S. Open champion McIlroy which derailed their challenge.
But it was the U.S. team who emerged as deserved champions, maintaining a two-shot lead they built over the German pair of Martin Kaymer and Alex Cejka.
“We really clicked. It’s fantastic to win for the U.S.” said the big-hitting Woodland.
“Undoubtedly the shots on the 12th and 13th were key. It was a great moment to shoot a par when you expected a bogey,” added Kuchar.
Meanwhile, England had set the clubhouse pace with their brilliant nine-under-par effort as Rose and Poulter carded eight birdies and an eagle, but they had left themselves too much to do.
