Sweden: World Cup winners

For Karlsson, it was another wonderful moment in what has been a stellar year, for Stenson, just further confirmation that he could be our next major winner.

Ewen Murray
Quotes of the week

Amazing. That is one of the superlatives you could use to describe the stunning performance of Henrik Stenson and Robert Karlsson as they combined to give Sweden their second World Cup success.

It's not often you come off air thinking you may have seen the perfect round, but myself and my colleagues were thinking that on Sunday in Guandong.

Foursomes are without doubt the most difficult discipline in the game, yet Henrik and Robert made it look so easy. Nine under par, they missed only one green in regulation at the 14th. Henrik tidied up that minor mistake up by promptly chipping in for a birdie three.

For Karlsson, it was another wonderful moment in what has been a stellar year, for Stenson, just further confirmation that he could be our next major winner.

One comment I would make is that Henrik has to straighten out his driving before that happens. You could argue that he is long enough with his trusty three wood, but to take the next step, and for him that is to win one of the coveted four events, he has to feel comfortable again with the driver.

A few weeks back, his driver had a hairline crack in the face and he has yet to find a replacement. I suspect he will do that over the short break. He is long, and if he can add the accuracy with his three wood to his length off the tee, he will become a formidable force.

Dream

Karlsson has had one of these spells golfers only dream about. It seems every time he has played, he has been in contention. Some players mature later than others. Robert is simply a late developer.

Between them, they lit up the spectacle at Mission Hills and their close tussle with the impressive Jimenez and his young partner, Pablo Larrazabal gave us one of the best World Cups for a while.

Australia were there for a while on the final day having been consistent from round one, but what happened on Sunday?

Richard Green has never struck me as a slow player, but he and his partner from New South Wales, Brendan Jones seemed to take an age to make the easiest of decisions and in doing so, played their way out of the tournament.

They took over six minutes to hit their second to the 10th along with their putt. It's not as if Brendan is inexperienced, he has won eight times on the Japan circuit. The 10th hole was only an example, there were many other instances.

Slow

Kenny Perry wrote in last week, as did Derek Field on one of my last column's subjects, Oliver Wilson. Both agreed that Oliver's pre shot routine is too slow. I think that cost Oliver dearly in Hong Kong and I'm of the same opinion of Australia in China.

Three hours for 12 holes in foursomes is unacceptable. Spain, Australia's partners were in trouble at the 11th and that took a little time I agree, but Richard and Brendan lost their flow and with it, their concentration and their chance to give Australia their fifth World Cup. We have fairly strict rules on the pace of play, why they were not enforced on Sunday is a mystery to me.

Also in Kenny Perry's reply was the fact that maybe Rory McIllroy is too hasty and a few seconds longer over putts would benefit the teenager. Fair comment Kenny, I think he will find his natural pace as he matures. I also think he is destined for stardom.

Steven Standage spoke of a role for Seve when he recovers full health. I thought of this Steven in China, and I came up with President of the Ryder Cup. I don't think that is enough, but I think Padraig Harrington made a superb suggestion that rather than Harry Vardon be on the logo of the Race to Dubai, it should be Seve. The readers of this column may have better ideas and no doubt we will discuss that in the weeks ahead.

Changes

Stateside, the PGA Tour have announced further changes to their Fed Ex Cup and Alfonso Martinez was worried that the Tour Championship will now clash with the inaugural Volvo Match Play in Spain.

That is true Alfonso, but it may work in our favour. Only 30 players qualify for the final event of the Fed Ex and there is a free week before that. Those who don't make East Lake, may well turn their attentions to Spain as the Race to Dubai will be at full pace come September.

Welcome back to Sky for Graham Rowley who is looking forward to Lee Westwood breaking into the major league next year. You will not find too many arguing with you there Graham. You mentioned how good the Sky Sports golf is in high definition and everyone who has that facility will agree with you.

I don't like pushing it because these are tough times financially for everyone, but if you can afford it, it's a luxury any golfer would enjoy, especially in these dark months of winter.

Smiles

Having landed at Terminal 5 at 5 o'clock on Monday morning, I noticed a difference from China. Now I know it was early, raining and cold, but nobody smiled.

When you arrived at breakfast in China, warm smiles greeted the start of your day. There were many more smiles as you made your way through the hours before it was time to retire. It became infectious and you know what? It made you feel better.

I appreciate with the atrocities going on in the East, the financial meltdown and the awful reading of your pension statements, we have not much to be cheery about, but a smile costs little and as I saw in China, it works wonders.

Before I left Hong Kong, two Swedish players were making their way to South Africa and they were grinning from ear to ear. We will catch up with Stenson and Karlsson in the Republic during the two weeks before Christmas as the Sky team bring you action from the Dunhill and the South African Open. Westwood and McIllroy will be there playing at two outstanding venues that are Leopard Creek and Pearl Valley.

We will also be able to access some of the successful graduates that have come through the School and the Challenge Tour, and the winner of that Tour, David Horsey had a top twenty finish in Melbourne last week. We will have a look at the field in Mpumalanga next week.