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Casey, Donald lead England to World Cup victory

GolfWeb Wire Services
 

SEVILLE, Spain -- Paul Casey putted exceptionally well and teamed with Luke Donald to lead England to the World Golf Championships-World Cup title Sunday with a one-stroke victory over Spain.

The two combined for an 8-under-par 64 and had a total of 31-under 257 at Real Club de Golf de Sevilla. The Spanish team of Sergio Garcia and Miguel Angel Jimenez closed with a 66.

The Irish team of Padraig Harrington and Paul McGinley finished with a 65 for third, three strokes behind England. Defending champion South Africa with Rory Sabbatini and Trevor Immelman shot 68 to finish six behind.

The Netherlands (68) and Austria (67) finished eight back. The United States, featuring Scott Verplank and Bob Tway, shot a 72 and was 10 behind along with Sweden (72) and Germany (68).

Sunday's format was the more difficult alternate shot, with Casey and Donald splitting the $1.4 million first-place money.

Garcia and Jimenez started a stroke ahead of England and despite support from almost 16,000 fans were unable to defeat their English playing partners.

Spain was a stroke behind England after 15 holes, but on the 16th Jimenez pushed a poor tee shot into rough just short of a lake, and Garcia dumped his approach into the water on the par-5 hole. The Spanish took a bogey 6 -- Garcia missed a 5-foot putt to save par -- to end their chances. England birdied the hole.

"Unfortunately, it was a tough shot and I didn't pull it off," Garcia said. "But I'm more disappointed with the putt that I missed on 16 than the actual second shot."

"I think Paul and Luke played unbelievable today," Garcia added. "To go out there on Sunday, playing for the World Cup, and manage to shoot 8-under in foursomes. That's a great effort."

Casey made seven of England's nine birdie putts, including an impressive string beginning at No. 9 when he dropped four straight from 8, 30, 15 and 12 feet. In alternate shot Friday, he made all nine of England's birdies.

"The greens are perfect and I can be a streaky putter," Casey said. "It's just nice I got hot today."

Casey lives in Scottsdale, Ariz., and played golf at Arizona State. Donald played at Northwestern.

"Paul got very hot with the putter both times, and that was the difference," Donald said.

Donald said he received a text message from a friend, reminding him England won the rugby World Cup almost to the day a year ago. That and the Ryder Cup two months ago steadied their nerves.

"There was still some pressure out there, but having gone through it at the Ryder Cup definitely gave us a good feel to know what to expect," Donald said.

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