Belgium hangs on for World Cup of Golf win
What happened at the World Cup of Golf?
Belgium held off a late challenge from hosts Australia to win the World Cup of Golf in Melbourne.
The pairing of Thomas Pieters and Thomas Detry had a five shot lead going into the final foursomes at The Metropolitan Golf Club.
But the home duo of Marc Leishman and Cameron Smith cut that to two as they gave the Aussie crowd hope of a second win in five years.
Belgium, though, signed for a 68 and finished the week at 23 under – three shots ahead of Australia and the Mexican pair of Abraham Ancer and Roberto Diaz.
Keeping their cool down the stretch, Detry produced one of the shots of the week as he crashed a drive into the middle of the final fairway to leave Pieters with just a short wedge in.
Pieters returned the favour, leaving his approach three feet away and a tap-in winning birdie putt for Detry.
Victorious. ?
Team Belgium captures the @WorldCupofGolf!#LiveUnderPar pic.twitter.com/WVXQPGPaWh
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) November 25, 2018
Pieters said: “With us bringing this thing back home, I think it will change a bit how kids look at golf and they’ll have something to look up to.
“We had Nico Colsaerts to look up to. We never really got in touch with him when we were younger and I think we would have loved it. For me it would have been amazing to see him play.
“In a couple of weeks we’re doing a day with all the juniors back home and for me it’s fun to do that because I know how much I would have loved it, so that’s why we do it.”
Detry added: “We weren’t far away in the football World Cup, so it’s pretty good to bring it back!
“Like Thomas said, it’s not really something you put on the list, but when it happens, you qualify for it, you play for it, you play with your best mate and it’s kind of a dream come true.
“There’s nothing like representing your country on the other side of the world, it’s just amazing.”
Full World Cup of Golf leaderboard insert in here
Talking point
No #FridayFeeling for @TyrrellHatton as England sit two shots off the lead at the World Cup of Golf.
More: https://t.co/Vv0PEfKUSa pic.twitter.com/DOQEmzb951
— Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) November 23, 2018
As talented as Tyrrell Hatton is, it’s his temperament that continues to attract as much attention as his skill.
The Englishman took his frustration at a poor drive out on a tee box at the par 4 10th during Friday’s second round – smashing the object into half a dozen pieces.
It is the latest in a litany of on course outbursts that have come to define the 27-year-old rather than the impressive play that has helped him become one of the best players in the world.
Not my finest moment on the golf course ?
Hopefully me & @IanJamesPoulter break par that easily over the weekend ? https://t.co/wEpbt0qc0X— Tyrrell Hatton (@TyrrellHatton) November 23, 2018
While that fire is undoubtedly part of his success, Hatton is increasingly in danger of becoming a caricature with some of his antics.
And if you think it doesn’t matter? Do that at your course next time you are out and see what happens to you.
Round four highlights
More magic from @CamSmithGolf!
Team ?? is only two shots behind at -20.#LiveUnderPar pic.twitter.com/i3UNMB6hYT
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) November 25, 2018
Whoa, whoa, whoa.@Thomas_Pieters almost forgot to let @TomDetry finish out for Team Belgium.#QuickHits ?? pic.twitter.com/FLWhnDQq5d
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) November 25, 2018
?? @Abraham_Ancer starts it.@BobbyDiazz finishes it.
Team Mexico is only four shots back.#QuickHits pic.twitter.com/jitCrTUGIZ
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) November 25, 2018
Belgium’s post-win press conference
?? @Thomas_Pieters and @TomDetry discuss winning the @WorldCupOfGolf with the media. https://t.co/95s7OZJBov
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) November 25, 2018
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Steve Carroll
A journalist for 25 years, Steve has been immersed in club golf for almost as long. A former club captain, he has passed the Level 3 Rules of Golf exam with distinction having attended the R&A's prestigious Tournament Administrators and Referees Seminar.
Steve has officiated at a host of high-profile tournaments, including Open Regional Qualifying, PGA Fourball Championship, English Men's Senior Amateur, and the North of England Amateur Championship. In 2023, he made his international debut as part of the team that refereed England vs Switzerland U16 girls.
A part of NCG's Top 100s panel, Steve has a particular love of links golf and is frantically trying to restore his single-figure handicap. He currently floats at around 11.
Steve plays at Close House, in Newcastle, and York GC, where he is a member of the club's matches and competitions committee and referees the annual 36-hole scratch York Rose Bowl.
Having studied history at Newcastle University, he became a journalist having passed his NTCJ exams at Darlington College of Technology.
What's in Steve's bag: TaylorMade Stealth 2 driver, 3-wood, and hybrids; TaylorMade Stealth 2 irons; TaylorMade Hi-Toe, Ping ChipR, Sik Putter.
