Ireland

Arnie's US army retain UBS Cup in Georgia

The United States retained the UBS Cup after a dramatic 12-12 tie with the Rest of the World at Sea Island, Georgia today.

Sun Nov 23 2003 - 00:00

The United States retained the UBS Cup after a dramatic 12-12 tie with the Rest of the World at Sea Island, Georgia today.

Eduardo Romero looked like securing the visitors' first victory in the over 40's Ryder Cup-style event when he led Scott Hoch with one hole to play in the decisive 12th singles match.

But the 49-year-old Argentinian bogeyed the 18th and had to settle for half a point, meaning unlike the Presidents Cup's unique finish earlier today, Arnold Palmer's side kept the trophy as defending champions.

Hale Irwin had set the ball rolling for the home side with a record-breaking 7&5 thrashing of Bernhard Langer, and Bruce Lietzke and Mark O'Meara quickly added more points with 6&5 wins over Barry Lane and Ian Woosnam respectively.

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Captain Tony Jacklin stopped the rot with victory over his opposite number Arnold Palmer, and Nick Faldo then levelled the match scores with a two-hole victory over Curtis Strange.

Colin Montgomerie birdied the last to halve his match with Tom Watson and veterans Des Smyth and Bill Longmuir then appeared to have swung the contest the visitors' way with crucial wins over Craig Stadler and Rocco Mediate.

But Brad Faxon held on to beat a determined Carl Mason 2&1 and the first of two crucial halved matches kept the United States alive.

Australia's Rodger Davis left a 10ft putt to win his match on the 17th inches short and bogeyed the last hole to halve with Ray Floyd.

And then Romero saw Hoch eagle the par-five 15th as he recovered from two down with four to play.

Overall result:
USA 12 Rest of the World 12
(US retain UBS Cup)

Sunday's Singles results:

Match 1
Arnold Palmer lost by 1hole toTony Jacklin

Match 2
Curtis Strange lost by 2holes toNick Faldo

Match 3
Tom Watson halved withColin Montgomerie

Match 4
Hale Irwin won 7 & 5 againstBernhard Langer

Match 5
Bruce Lietzke won 6 & 5 againstBarry Lane

Match 6
Craig Stadler lost by 1 hole toDes Smyth

Match 7
Mark O'Meara won 6 & 5 againstIan Woosnam

Match 8
Rocco Mediate lost by 1hole againstBill Longmuir

Match 9
Raymond Floyd halved withRodger Davis

Match 10
Brad Faxon won 2 & 1 againstCarl Mason

Match 11
Hal Sutton won 2 & 1 againstVicente Fernandez

Match 12
Scott Hoch halved withEduardo Romero