ROBERT Karlsson was delighted to join the host of golfing greats who have won the coveted World Cup trophy after combining with Henrik Stenson to capture the Omega Mission Hills World Cup for Sweden.
The duo had made a relatively low-key start to the tournament and went into the final round four strokes behind leaders Spain and Australia.
However, Stenson and Karlsson saved their best for last and were superb around the Olazabal course at Miss
ion Hills Golf Club in China, carding a nine-under-par 63 in yesterday's foursomes.
Spain's Miguel Angel Jimenez and Pablo Larrazabal could only manage a two-under 70 to finish at 24-under-par 264 overall – three strokes behind the Swedish pair.
Scotland's Colin Montgomerie and Alastair Forsyth signed for a 72 yesterday to finish seven under par overall, tied for 19th place.
Sweden's win means 2008 European Tour Order of Merit winner Karlsson and world No12 Stenson join a lengthy list of famous pairings such as Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer, Gary Player and Harold Henning and Tiger Woods and David Duval as World Cup winners.
"It means very much to win for the country," said Karlsson. "This has always been an event in Sweden that's been big. To play for your country is great. If you look on the trophy, there's many impressive pairings on there. I hope we can look back on it in the future and say the same about us playing here."
It was a first victory of the year for 32-year-old Stenson, and the Dubai-based Swede was honoured to have won. "We've had a great time all week," said Stenson. "We played fantastic today.
"I haven't had a win so far this year, and I have got one now, so I'm very pleased with that. It's a great honour to play for your country, and obviously even better when you win."
For Spain's Jimenez and Larrazabal it was a disappointing end to a tournament where they had looked well placed heading into the weekend,
only for a bogey and just three birdies yesterday to cost them a chance of success.
But 2008 European Tour Rookie of the Year Larrazabal was gracious in defeat, accepting the best team on the day won. "We didn't play like we did in the first and second round, but it was still a great tournament for us," said the 25-year-old. "But you know, I wanted so bad to go home with the trophy, and I'm a little bit sad now.
"However, the best team today was Sweden so congratulations to them."
England's Ian Poulter and Ross Fisher finished strongly as a five-under-par 67 yesterday raised them to sixth place.
