Spanish beat Australians to win Cup

Miguel Angel Jimenez was once again the perfect anchor-man as Spain saw off Australia 2-1 in the Dunhill Cup final to avenge their final defeat last year.

Craig Parry and Sergio Garcia turned on the style in the first match, both shooting three-under-par 69s in tough conditions, but it was the pugnacious Aussie who won at the first extra hole. Despite losing his final two matches, Garcia finished the tournament with an amazing total of 18 under par.

It was therefore left to the young Spanish skippers team-mates to win the competition.

Jose Maria Olazabal dominated Stephen Leaney to level the match, winning 72-78. The Spaniard did not play brilliantly, keepeing par, but Leaney, following his dramatic play in the semi-final, fell apart under pressure.

Jimenez held his nerve in a tough battle with Peter O'Malley to win by two shots and guide Spain to their first Cup victory.

The victory earned each of the Spanish player £100,000 and is already Garcia's third competition win in his first professional year. He said: "You probably can't ask for any more.

"I'm very proud and I'm looking forward to winning more. My team-mates were brilliant, but I also hope I always play this course as I did this week."

Jose-Maria Olazabal said: "This is very satisfying, especially after losing in the final last year. We've made history."

Spain ended the two-year South African domination at the Dunhill Cup as they won 2-1 in the semi-final at St. Andrews.

It went down to the last match, Jose Maria Olazabal against Retief Goosen. Much like his singles match against Juston Leonard in the Ryder Cup, the Spaniard was superb early on building up a strong lead only to see it disappear with a number of loose drives.

Olazabal finally claimed a final berth for Spain, birdieing the 17th to secure victory over Retief Goosen by a single a shot.

South Africa skipper Ernie Els put the first point on the board after a ding-dong battle with Sergio Garcia, the pair playing some scintillating golf in blustery conditions. The young Spanish captain could not muster the incredible form that saw him hit three consectutive 67's as he lost 70-72.

Miguel Angel Jimenez (73) earned Spain's other point when he saw off David Frost (77) by four shots.

In the other semi-final, Stephen Leaney clinched a dramatic semi final victory for Australia when he beat Sweden's Jarmo Sandelin at the first extra hole of sudden death.

In an error strewn match, the pair struggled to rounds of 80 in the strong St. Andrews wind, moving the tie into a 19th hole play-off. However, that is as far as the play-off got as Sandelin's approach to the first hit the green, but spun backwards into the Swilcan Burn.

Earlier, Craig Parry posted a solid round of 72 to see off the threat of Gabriel Hjerstadt (75), while Patrick Sjoland sealed victory on the final green against Peter O'Malley, a 76 being too good for the Australian's 78.