Belgium held off a late challenge from hosts Australia to win the World Cup of Golf for the first time at The Metropolitan Golf Club in Melbourne.
Thomas Detry and Thomas Pieters brought a five-shot advantage into the final foursomes, but Marc Leishman and Cameron Smith cut that to just two as the huge crowds at the Sandbelt venue began to get excited about a second Australian win in five years.
The Belgians held their nerve over the final three holes, however, to sign for a 68 and finish the week at 23 under, three shots ahead of Australia and Mexican pair Abraham Ancer and Roberto Diaz.
Standing on the 18th tee with a two shot lead, Detry produced one of his shots of the week as he thundered a drive down the middle of the fairway to leave his partner a short wedge to the hole. Pieters then turned on the style, planting his approach three feet from the pin to allow Detry to tap-in for birdie and seal an historic victory.
Defending champions Søren Kjeldsen and Thorbjørn Olesen closed with a 65 to finish at 17 under, tied fourth alongside Canada, while South Korea and Italy finished a further shot back on 16 under. England’s pairing of Tyrell Hatton and Ian Poulter finished in eight place after a closing two-under par 70.
Detry said: “We weren’t far away in the football World Cup, so it’s pretty good to bring the golfing version! It’s not really something you put on the list of things to achieve as a pro golfer, but when you qualify for it, you play for it, and you play with your best mate, 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. Thomas and I have known each other since we were eight or nine. We used to play in those junior events, and then national teams together, under-18, and then he went to college in America and I followed him. He’s got a lot of experience, it was very comforting for me to play with a guy like that.”
Pieters added: “It feels pretty good. It’s been a long time since I won and this feels as good as winning an individual title. I’m very, very happy.”
