Featured Golf News
Italy Rallies to Win golf World Cup
The twosome representing Italy, the brothers Edoardo and Francesco Molinari, won the World Cup of Golf for the first time in their nation's history after edging Ireland and defending champion Sweden. The brothers will split the $1.7 million prize for first place in the $5.5 million team event held at Mission Hills Golf Club in China.
In the alternate-shot format, the Molinaris shot a 4-under 68 on the Olazabal Course to finish at 29-under 259. The Irish duo of Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell, which led through the first 54 holes, closed with a 70 and a 260 total, to tie the Swedish team of Henrik Stenson and Robert Karlsson, who carded a 69.
The Molinaris took the lead after sinking a 30-foot birdie putt at the par-4 12th and then followed with another birdie at the par-3 13th.
When asked how it felt to win Italy's first World Cup of Golf, Francesco said: "Feels really good obviously. Probably we haven't realized yet what we have done, but we played great for all week, and today we just had to hang in there and try to finish it off in the last few holes. "We were lucky to hole a couple of good putts just after the turn, which was really important to put us in front of everybody. I think we just played some great golf for all week, so it was amazing."
On the 18th, Edoardo found a bunker with his second shot. But his brother played an outstanding sand shot to 2 feet and Edoardo made the putt to cinch the win. "I just said, 'Francesco, just knock it on the green anywhere, and I'm going to hole the putt'," said Edoardo. "It was a very sweet feeling."
McIlroy was disappointed about not coming through in the final round to secure Ireland's third Cup in the 55-year history of the event. McIlroy said: "We both played pretty average today to be honest."
The 20 year-old then spoke of plans to make the World Cup a biennial event in order to double the prize money and attract the best players. "Hopefully it can get back to the way it was a few decades ago."
The American team of John Merrick and Nick Watney shot the low round of the day, carding a 10-under 62 to jump from a tie for 22nd into a tie for seventh at 20 under.
(' ’) |
 |
