Germany win World Golf Championships
On a wet and windy day Germany represented by Bernhard Langer and rookie team-mate Marcel Siem, rallied from five shots back at the start of play to defeat Colin Montgomerie and Marc Warren, of Scotland, in a sudden death play-off on the par three 18th hole.
Germany started the final day on eleven under par, tied with the United States, South Africa, and Italy, and five shots off Sweden, who finished the third day on sixteen under par. Argentina had a four stroke lead on them, while Scotland led them by three shots.
The day started with the focus on the battle between the three leading teams, Sweden, Argentina, and Scotland. However, it was the German’s who played almost flawless golf, hitting every fairway and green in regulation, with the exception of hole seventeen.
Their impressive play saw them have two birdies on the front nine, and four on the back, with their only flaw being a bogey on the seventeenth.
Coming to the final 72nd hole at the Sandy Lane Country Club Course, Sandy Lane Resort, Barbados, any of three teams, Germany, Sweden and Scotland could have won the John Hopkins Trophy, and take the US$1.4 million winners share of the US $4 million purse.
Germany was the first to reach the par three final hole, and again they made a regulation par to put them in the Club House as leaders on sixteen under par.
Then came Scotland, and like Germany, they finished with a regulation par to also finish on sixteen under.
It was now left to Carl Pettersson, and Henrik Stenson, of Sweden to see if they could birdie the final whole and win, or at least par and get into a three way play-off with Germany and Scotland.
That was not to be as Carl Pettersson’s downhill putt for par from five feet rimmed the hole but did not drop, leaving them in third place.
Germany was first off the tee in the sudden death play-off, being played in the Foursome (alternate shot) format. Langer’s drive missed the green and found the rough to the left of the hole.
Montgomerie drove first for Scotland, and like Langer he also missed the green, and found the rough to the left.
Germany had the better of the lies, and was the closer to the hole, which meant that Scotland was away. Warren then forced to play a lob shot hit it five feet past the cup.
Siem then chipped his shot to within three feet of the hole, giving Germany the advantage.
Montgomerie missed his putt, while Langer tapped in his three foot putt for par, giving Germany the World Golf Championships – Barbados World Cup title.
Sweden finished third fifteen under par, South Africa fourth on fourteen under, while Spain, Argentina, and the United States all finished fifth on thirteen under par.
Barbados Prime Minister Owen Arthur did the honours of presenting the trophy to the winning team.
Additional Information:
December 11th, 2006
http://www.worldgolfchampionships.com/tournaments/r169
