Scotland Are World Cup Champions

At a time when the European Tour is looking to establish itself as a major force, Colin Montgomerie and Marc Warren helped to boost those ambitions with an outstanding victory for Scotland at the Omega Mission Hills World Cup in China.

The Scottish duo showed great character and nerveless steel to beat the United States’ Boo Weekley and Heath Slocum at the third play-off hole. It is Scotland’s first victory in the tournament’s 53-year history.

Their victory also erased the despair of last year when they fell to Germany in the first play-off hole in Barbados.

Monty, the doyen of European golf for almost two decades, has lost in play-offs at the 1994 US Open, to Ernie Else, and the 1995 US PGA Championship, to Steve Elkington.

Offering praise to his partner Warren, Monty joked on the European Tour’s website:

“I didn’t want to say anything to Marc but my play-off record is rubbish. But playing with Marc was great and if he is not in the top 20 in the world by this time next year I will be very surprised for he is a fantastic player.”

Monty’s record in team events is excellent, which is why Warren felt confident that the veteran golfer would be there to help him out. He said:

“For this format, Monty is the perfect guy to play with. If you make a mistake, you know he will hit a fine recovery shot to get you back on track and, just like last year, it was an honour to play for Scotland alongside him.”

The Scots and Americans totalled 263 over the four rounds in Shenzhen. That was one stroke ahead of the third-placed French team of Raphael Jacquelin and Gregory Havret.

Favourites England, with Justin Rose and Ian Poulter carrying their hopes, finished two strokes behind the leaders on 265 with South Africa’s Retief Goosen and Trevor Immelman two shots further adrift.


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