So close again for McIlroy and McDowell

Italy edge out Ireland and Sweden to secure first victory in the World Cup of Golf at Mission Hills, China.

The Italian pairing of Eduardo and Francesco Molinari secured the first victory for Italy in the World Cup of Golf with the brothers starting the day one shot behind Ireland and finishing one shot ahead of Sweden and Ireland on the final day.

McIlroy ends another week coming so close once again even though the Irish duo had stretched their overnight lead to three shots on the front nine, but failed to further advance their score on the way home with a final round two-under 70 for 260.

Sweden produced a fantastic title defense by Stenson and Karlsson, who was beaten in a play-off by Edoardo last week in Japan, carding a final round three under par 69 and also a 260.

Italy were one ahead of Ireland and Sweden after 17 but despite finding sand, they rescued a decisive par.

"It’s been a tough day and we have been playing against some of the best golfers in the world. It was really tough until the last, but it feels even better when it is like that," said Francesco.

The English duo of Ian Poulter and Ross Fisher had started the final round foursomes eight shots adrift but they fired eight birdies to move up the leaderboard.


Final round scores (foursomes)

259 –ITALY 64-66-61-68

260 –SWEDEN 64-65-62-69
260 –IRELAND 58-68-64-70
262 –ENGLAND 66-69-63-64
266 –JAPAN 62-71-64-69
267 –AUSTRALIA 68-70- 62-67
268 –USA 67-72-67-62;
268 -GERMANY 66-71-66-65;
268 -WALES 66-68-64-70; KOREA 64-75-61-68;
268 -SOUTH AFRICA 65-70-62-71