Molinari brothers give Italy shocking victory in Omega World Cup

SHENZHEN, China -- Brothers Francesco and Edoardo Molinari savored a sweet victory Sunday after teaming up to lead Italy to an historic first Omega World Cup title following a tense three-way final round battle with Ireland and Sweden.

A 4-under-par 68 in the (alternate shot) foursomes secured the success, which the duo ranks just behind Costantino Rocca's runner-up finish behind John Daly at the 1995 British Open and back-to-back Ryder Cup wins in the history of the sport in their soccer-mad nation.

In 2005, Edoardo became the European to win the U.S. Amateur since 1911 before Francesco became the first Italian to win the Italian Open in 26 years a year later.

And their latest success follows Italian teenager Matteo Manassero becoming the youngest winner of the British Amateur title in June.

"It feels really good. We probably haven't realized what we have achieved. We just had to hang in there and try to finish it up in the last few holes," said Francesco Molinari. "We were also fortunate to hole a couple of good putts which kept us in front of everybody. We played great golf all week and it feels amazing."

For elder brother Edoardo, the triumph caps a spectacular year in which he ensured an instant return to the European Tour after setting a European Challenge Tour earnings record before winning the high-profile Dunlop Phoenix tournament in Japan just last week.

"To win this week was always a dream of ours and to win by one shot is even sweeter," he said.

"To win by one shot against some really good teams like Ireland and Sweden is a great feeling," he added. "All of the players involved in the other teams were Ryder Cup players, so I think we probably had not realized what we have done."

Three consecutive birdie putts from Francesco at the start of the back nine were the key as the Irish duo of Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell let slip a three-shot lead.

Ireland had led for just over three rounds over the Olazabal Course at Mission Hills Golf Club but failed to fire on the final day.

After Francesco had scrambled from the greenside bunker at the last to secure a par for Italy, McDowell agonizingly missed a birdie chance by inches that would have forced a playoff but capped an error-strewn 2-under 70.

"It's been a great week. Myself and Graeme really enjoyed it especially being in the hunt today was a good feeling. But we weren't able to pull it off, we both played pretty averagely," said world No. 10 McIlroy.

"We shot two under but it could have been a lot better," he added. "It was pleasure to play with Graeme and try and win a title with him, it just wasn't meant to be."

Henrik Stenson and Robert Karlsson produced a gallant defense of their title as the Swedes dropped just one shot all week.

Like Ireland, Sweden had a chance at the last but Stenson's birdie putt rolled around the cup as a final-round 69 proved only good enough for a runner-up finish.

"We had a great week. We played well all week," said Stenson. "Unfortunately my putter was too cold in the final round, that's what it comes down to in my book. I had a great putt on the last from 45 feet and it looked in most of the time and went down and came back up again, and that was for the playoff the way it turns out.

"Obviously there is a little bit of disappointment, but I can't really hold a 45-foot lipout on the last responsible. I had plenty of chances and I didn't take them, so it's basically down to my putting."

An impressive bogey-free 8-under 64 came too late from Ian Poulter and Ross Fisher as England finished fourth, with Japan fifth ahead of Australia.

South Africa, Wales, Korea, Germany and the the United States team of Nick Watney and John Merrick -- who left their best until last with a brilliant bogey-free final round of 10-under-par 62 in the traditionally testing alternate-shot format -- rounded out the top 10.

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