SEVILLE, Spain, 22 November 2004 — A magnificent display of precision putting from Paul Casey brought England only their second ever World Cup win here yesterday and spoiled the party for home favorites Spain.

Casey and his partner Luke Donald were in a dogfight with Sergio Garcia and Miguel Angel Jimenez for the top team title as they reached the turn in the closing foursomes.

That was when the Ryder Cup star produced three crucial birdie putts in a row from the 10th, two from 25 feet and one from 12 feet, to launch his team into a four-stroke lead.

Spain hit back with an eagle at the 13th, but Garcia went into the water with his second to the par-five 16th and Casey and Donald held on to become only the second English pair in the event’s 51-year history to go all the way after Nick Faldo and David Carter in Auckland in 1998.They finished at 257, 31 under par, after a closing 64 and were one stroke clear of Garcia and Jimenez, who closed with a 66 three ahead of Ireland’s Padraig Harrington and Paul McGinley who came in with a 65.

Reigning champions Trevor Immelman and Rory Sabbatini were fourth a further three strokes back after a final round 68.

It was a wonderful way to end a topsy-turvy week for Casey who began it by blasting American attitudes only to be rocked by the virulent backlash his words provoked.

Woods Ends Drought With Japan Breakthrough

In Miyazaki, Tiger Woods collected his first strokeplay title of a difficult year when he stormed to an eight-shot victory at the Dunlop Phoenix tournament on Sunday.

Leading by 10 strokes overnight, the American produced a three-under-par 67 for a 16-under total of 264 to taste success for the first time in four visits to Japan.

Woods’ triumph signaled a welcome return to form after his five-year reign as world No. 1 was ended by Fiji’s Vijay Singh two months ago.

It also halted a run of 20 consecutive strokeplay events without a win, his longest drought since turning professional in 1996.

“It’s a great feeling,” said Woods. “It’s a great sign. I’ve come close this year but to finally get over the top is such a great feeling.”

Japan’s Ryoken Kawagishi finished runner-up at the $1.9-million event after a final-round 65. South Korean KJ Choi was a further two shots back in third place on six-under 274.

Last year’s winner Thomas Bjorn of Denmark shot a closing 64 to finish seventh on 277.

Woods has revamped his swing this year but had still produced 10 top-10 finishes in his previous 12 tournaments before arriving in Miyazaki.

Sorenstam Clings to Lead at ADT Championship

In West Palm Beach, Fla., Annika Sorenstam managed an even-par 72 on Saturday to cling to the lead after the third round of the ADT Championship. Sorenstam’s 54-hole total of 10-under-par 206 left her one shot clear of Cristie Kerr and Jennifer Rosales.

Karrie Webb, Rachel Teske, Carin Koch and Candie Kung share fourth place at five-under-par 211. Laura Diaz followed at four-under-par 212 while defending champion Meg Mallon was seven shots back at three-under-par 213.

Sorenstam, who had extended her lead to three strokes heading into the weekend, found trouble early at Trump International Golf Club with a bogey at the par-four first. Sorenstam then missed the green at the par-three fifth and failed to get up and down for another bogey.

The Swede, who is seeking her 56th career victory on the LPGA Tour, struggled at the par-three 11th despite finding the putting surface off the tee. Sorenstam three-putted for her third bogey of the day to fall back to seven- under.

Sorenstam responded at the par-four 13th and hit a five-iron inside six feet for her first birdie. She then two-putted for a birdie at the par-five 15th to get to minus-nine.