Thorbjorn Olesen and Soren Kjeldsen gave Denmark its first title in the ISPS Handa World Cup of Golf, closing with a best-ball total of 6-under-par 66 to win by four strokes over the United States, China and France at Kingston Heath Golf Club in Melbourne, Australia.
Olesen holed a 25-foot birdie putt on the final hole to put an exclamation point on the victory and the Danes finished with a score of 20-under 268, taking the lead for good when they posted a best-ball score of 60 in the second round.
“It’s pretty difficult to describe,” said the 41-year-old Kjeldsen. “We just came into the week in good form and just jelled together. Our friendship just grew as we went along and it was just an indescribable week.”
Said Olesen: “We had a lot of support from the fans and it was just a great week.”
Victor Dubuisson and Romain Langasque of France shot 63 and tied for second with Rickie Fowler and Jimmy Walker of the United States, who totaled 66, and Ashun Wu and Li Haotong of China, who finished at 65.
Alex Noren and David Lingmerth of Sweden carded a 62 that was the low round of the day to finish five shots behind in solo fifth, while Francesco Molinari and Matteo Manassero of Italy wound up at 64 to wind up another stroke back in a tie for sixth with Hideki Matsuyama and Ryo Ishikawa of Japan, who recorded a 65.
Rafa Cabrera Bello and Jon Rahm of Spain were seven down in solo eight after a 66, while Adam Scott and Marc Leishman of pre-tournament favorite Australia shot 65 to tie wind up another shot back in a tie for ninth with Graeme McDowell and Shane Lowry of Ireland, who came in at 66.
Scott won the title in 2013 at Royal Melbourne alongside top-ranked Jason Day, who could not play this time because of a back injury.
