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Swedes land World Cup

Second World Cup victory for Sweden after final round burst

Last updated: 30th November 2008

Duo: Stenson and Karlsson

Final leaderboard:
Sweden -27
Spain -24
Australia -18
Japan -18
Germany -16

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Sweden's Robert Karlsson and Henrik Stenson produced a sparkling final round to land the World Cup of Golf by three strokes in China.

European Tour number one Karlsson and world number 12 Stenson were the highest-ranked players in the tournament at Mission Hills, and they showed their pedigree in the final round.

The Swedes conjured up a magical nine-under par round of 63 to grab the title on 27 under par, three shots ahead of Spain, whose Miguel Angel Jimenez and Pablo Larrazabal could not repeat their second round foursomes performance.

Second win

Sweden's win was the country's second in the World Cup - with Per-Ulrik Johansson and Anders Forsbrand's bringing home the trophy from Rome in 1991.

Australia's Richard Green and Brendan Jones had held a share of the lead heading into the final day, but they only managed a disappointing 76 to finish in third place alongside Japan on 18-under.

"I thought it was our turn today," said Stenson, who is now looking to claim a first individual title of the year.

"I'm starting to run out of tournaments.

"This is my third last. So I've got two more to go in South Africa. But winning for Sweden is nice. It's been a while."

Five birdies in a flawless front nine fired Sweden up the leaderboard after starting the day four shots behind Spain and Australia.

Birdies

Birdies at 11 and 12 put them in front, and a chip-in from Stenson for a birdie from the back of the 14th green gave the Swedes a three-shot cushion.

Another birdie on the par-five 15th was the final nail in the coffin for Spain, as Larrazabal and Jimenez could not find a way back.

Needing an eagle on the 18th to force a play-off, Larrazabal found the bunker from his tee shot, and although Jimenez escaped the sand trap well, Spain ended with a bogey and Sweden were confirmed as champions.

Germany came home in fifth while England's Ian Poulter and Ross Fisher finished strongly with a five-under round of 67 putting them in sixth.

It was a good finish after a poor opening two rounds, and Poulter was disappointed the duo were too far behind to challenge on the final day.

"We should have had a chance to win this golf tournament. That's what we come here for," said a disappointed Poulter.

"It didn't happen on Thursday and Friday and that's just such a shame to be so far out of the picture."