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Scotland’s Colin Montgomerie and Mark Warren made up for the nation’s disappointment last season with a play-off victory over the United States in the World Cup at Mission Hills in China.
In 2006 Scotland narrowly lost out in a play-off to champions Germany, but avoided any repeat after America’s Boo Weekley missed a 15-foot putt for par on the third extra hole. Weekley and partner Heath Slocum had led the event throughout the first three days but found themselves on the back foot for the first time after Scotland posted a superb final round 66 to move to 25-under-par.
The US duo moved back in to a share of the lead with a dramatic birdie at the last that forced the tournament in to a play-off. And Scotland’s luck looked to have run out on the first extra hole after Montgomerie found sand from the tee before Warren fired in into a second bunker with the second. Yet foursomes veteran Montgomerie produced a beautiful chip to within 10 feet and after Slocum missed a birdie putt that would have sealed victory, Warren held his nerve to keep the tie alive. Both teams then made par at the second play-off hole before Weekley failed to sink his tricky putt on the third to hand Scotland a memorable victory.
“It was fantastic, after missing out last year to come here and win is superb,” said Montgomerie, who was making his ninth World Cup appearance. “There was pressure to come back after a play-off loss. We look forward to coming back and trying to defend the trophy.
“Marc was fantastic. He holed some great putts under pressure, especially the one on the first hole of the play-off. We were favourites from then on.” Warren, winner of the Johnnie Walker Championship earlier in 2007, said: “To have the opportunity to play with a golfer who has been there, seen it and done it all is an honour for me. "He is a person I can learn from, I have learnt again this week and I am sure next time I play with him I will learn again. He is a great player and a great person to boot, someone I thoroughly enjoy being around - a person who likes to win and really that is what this game is all about.” The England duo of European Order of Merit winner Justin Rose and recent Dunlop Phoenix champion Ian Poulter finished fourth in China after slipping out of contention over the final round. The pair started the last day just two strokes off leaders Boo Weekley and Heath Slocum, however failed to amass any serious challenge after two bogeys on the front nine shackled their title charge. Rose did hole an impressive putt for eagle at the ninth to get their round back on track, but a 67 left England two shots behind Scotland and the States on 23-under-par and trailing third placed France by a stroke. The South African team of Trevor Immelman and twice Major winner Retief Goosen finished fifth on 21-under-par. The Welsh pairing of Stephen Dodd and Bradley Dredge finished tied for 22nd on eight-under with Ireland's Gareth Maybin and Michael Hoey finishing one shot further adrift.  |
