Casey & Donald win World Cup for England

Paul Casey, with another inspired putting display, and Luke Donald earned England a one-shot victory over home favourites Spain in the WGC-World Cup of Golf on Sunday.

Ryder Cup players Casey and Donald fired an eight-under-par 64 in the last-day foursomes, finishing on 31-under 257 at the Real Club.

Casey, 27, had been under pressure all week after his much-publicised attack on American sports culture, but he put that behind him by sinking a clutch of long-range putts as England reeled off nine birdies on the day.

"We mixed our strengths," a jubilant Donald told reporters. "I was able to play to my strength, which is my iron-play, and Paul is a fantastic putter."

Spaniards Sergio Garcia and Miguel Angel Jimenez, the pre-tournament favourites, had to settle for second place after a closing 66.

Irish duo Padraig Harrington and Paul McGinley, the 1997 winners, finished third on 28-under 260, after a 65, with defending champions Trevor Immelman and Rory Sabbatini of South Africa a further three strokes back in fourth, after a 68.

On Friday, Casey had holed all nine of England's birdie putts as he and Donald surged into contention.

On the final day, he produced another red-hot display with his putter, including a 40-footer for birdie on the 10th.

England's playing partners Garcia and Jimenez, although boosted by a large gallery, were unable to contend with that sort of form on the greens and failed in their bid to clinch a fifth World Cup title for Spain.

Casey and Donald followed in the footsteps of 1998 winners Nick Faldo and David Carter by earning England a second World Cup crown, although they needed yet another ice-cool putt from Casey at the last.

The Englishman faced an awkward four-footer on 18 for a bogey-five to prevent the tournament from going into a playoff, Jimenez having holed a 10-foot birdie putt there for Spain to close at 30 under. Undaunted, Casey coolly delivered.

"I'm very happy with the way I handled myself, because I've not enjoyed what happened," said Casey, who was quoted in a British newspaper last week as saying he had felt "hate" towards the Americans during this year's Ryder Cup at Oakland Hills.

"I put all my focus into my game because there was a lot of distraction. I've now got to spend some time trying to repair the damage.

"I'm looking forward to playing (on the U.S. PGA Tour) but also a little bit worried about it," added the Englishman, who has a home in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Garcia, who was edged out in a playoff for the season-ending Volvo Masters at Valderrama, and Jimenez effectively ended their victory chance by finding water on the par-five 16th to slip three strokes behind the English pair.

"It was very disappointing but 66 was a flipping good score so all credit to England," said Garcia, who missed a five-foot putt for par on that hole

"I was more disappointed with the missed putt on 16 because, as it proved, I couldn't afford to miss it.

"They putted great. To go out and shoot eight-under in foursomes is a great effort

"The crowd was amazing this week and we probably feel worse for the people."

Donald added he and Casey had been inspired by England's triumph at last year's World Cup rugby union tournament in Australia, where they beat the hosts 20-17 in the final.

"A friend of mine sent me a text message yesterday reminding us that one year away 15 Englishmen came back with the World Cup," he said.

"It was an inspiration for us to go out and start strongly, which we did."

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