Belgium held off a late threat from hosts Australia to win the ISPS HANDA Melbourne World Cup of Golf for the first time at The Metropolitan Golf Club.
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 which excited the Australian fans on the back nine.
However, the Belgians held their nerve over the final three holes 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.
Defending champions Søren Kjeldsen and Thorbjørn Olesen shot a closing 65 to finish at 17 under as a duo of European Tour Members lifted the World Cup for the eighth time in the last ten events.
💬 "I'm super proud of him."
A word from the champions.#WorldCupofGolf pic.twitter.com/CthKORpFE8
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) November 25, 2018
“It feels amazing, World Champions,” said Detry. “It was always nice to have that big brother talking to you and calming you down. It’s like you’re playing a game against your buddy at home, I learned a lot thanks to him.
Pieters added: “I’m super proud of him. That drive on 18 was unbelievable. I could see he was a bit nervous, I was nervous as well. To finish with a birdie tops it off. These putts on the back nine aren’t easy, I know, and he made plenty of them.”
