Matt Kuchar and Gary Woodland gave the United States a 24th World Cup on Sunday after the duo reeled in overnight leaders Ireland and held off the charge of fast-finishing England. The victory at the Blackstone course comes a week after Kuchar helped the United States win another team event, the Presidents Cup, in Australia.
The US team fired a final round of 67 to take the title with a combined 24-under-par 264, two shots ahead of England and Germany in joint second place. Ireland's Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell started Sunday with a two-shot lead but endured a frustrating day and carded an even par 72 for a share of fourth.
Kuchar told reporters he was proud to have won the title for America. "You think of all the sporting events, and you think of all the teams that become world champions, and in golf there are not that many opportunities to be world champions," he said.
"So to represent the United States of America and become world champions just feels great." The American duo began the final round two strokes behind McIlroy and McDowell but moved to the top of the 28-nation leaderboard after birdies on the opening two holes and at the sixth and seventh. A bogey on 11 was the only blip but they rebounded with birdies on the 12th and 13th.
Kuchar and Woodland cruised home to slip on the traditional golden jackets and take first prize cheques of $1.2 million. "On Saturday we really clicked together and played a great round and when Matt got up-and-down at the last that gave us the momentum into today's final round," Woodland told reporters.