Matt Kuchar and Gary Woodland Bring World Cup Back to USA

Matt Kuchar and Gary Woodland began the last round of the World Cup two shots behind an Irish team that featured a pair of U. S. Open champions, Graeme McDowell and Rory McIlroy. The Americans quickly closed the gap by making birdies on the first two holes on Sunday, and kept their feet on the gas pedal by making a total of six birdies and only one bogey to fire a final round 5-under-par 67, which gave them an aggregate total of 24-under par.

Ireland had claimed a two-shot lead after Saturday’s four-ball round by firing an 8-under-par 64 on the Mission Hills Blackstone Course on Hainan Island off the China coast. The U. S. team fired a 9-under-par 63 on Saturday to put themselves into contention for the last round foursomes on Sunday. 

The South African duo of 2010 British Open winner Louis Oosthuizen and 2011 Masters Champion Charl Schwartzel, as well as the German team of 2010 PGA champion Martin Kaymer and Alex Chekja tied for the best rounds on Saturday. Both teams fired magnificent 11-under-par 61s to put themselves two shots behind the Irish and tied with the Americans heading into the last round on Sunday.

The team from England, Ian Poulter and Justin Rose, carded the best round on Sunday, posting a 9-under-par 63 to finish at 22-under, which moved them into a tie for second place with the Germans, who could only manage to shoot 69 in the alternate shot format.

The two Macs, Graeme and Rory, ended up in fourth place when they could only post an even-par 72 on Sunday. This same Irish team took a lead into the final round the last time the World Cup was held in 2009, but failed to close the deal and ultimately finished second. European Ryder Cup 2012 captain Colin Montgomerie can scratch this pairing off his list for foursome matches next year.

No. 10 on the Official World Golf Rankings, Matt Kuchar has been one of the most consistent players in the world over the past two years. He became the highest ranked American golfer after Steve Stricker opted out of the World Cup. Kuchar then made a wise choice by picking the long-hitting Woodland, ranked No. 48 in the world, as his partner. This win will only help build Woodland’s confidence and should propel him to more success on the PGA Tour.

The Americans claim the World Cup for the first time since 2000, when Tiger Woods and David Duval teamed up to capture the trophy. Former winning American duos include Jack Nicklaus with Arnold Palmer and Fred Couples with Davis Love.

The World Cup has lost some of its stature as one of the game’s premier events over the past few years. It comes at a time of the year when most of the best players normally begin their winter vacations and concentrate more on hunting and fishing than their golf games. This year’s field featured several major champions, and the Blackstone Course at Mission Hills makes a perfect setting for the competition.