Scotland’s Colin Montgomerie and Marc Warren will take the World Cup back to the home of golf for the first time after beating the United States on the third hole of a sudden death playoff on Sunday. A fourth par of the day at the 18th proved enough for the Scots to defeat overnight leaders Boo Weekley and Heath Slocum, pick up a cheque for $800,000 each and make amends for their own playoff defeat by Germany last year.
“To come back after a playoff loss last year and win is superb, particularly as my playoff record is rubbish,” Montgomerie told reporters after finally getting his hands on the John Hopkins trophy at the ninth attempt.
The Americans had looked set for victory when the Scots twice found the sand on the first extra hole but Warren nailed a 12-foot putt for par and Slocum just missed a seven-foot birdie effort.
Slocum had successfully drained a birdie putt just two feet shorter at the same green to force the playoff, giving the Americans a five-under 67 to match the Scots, who had shot a superb six-under 66, on 25-under for the tournament.
Both teams missed long birdie efforts at the second extra hole before Weekley failed with a 15-footer when he was putting for par to keep the match alive.
The Americans, both making their debuts in the 54-year-old tournament, had led by a shot after all three previous rounds in their pursuit of a 24th World Cup victory for their country…
