Pinoy Cuppers finish joint 16th

MANILA, Philippines - Angelo Que and Mars Pucay closed out with a bogey-free three under par 69 in foursomes and finished tied for 16th with Singapore and Thailand in the World Cup of Golf topped by Italy at the Mission Hills Golf Club in Shenzhen, China yesterday.

The Filipino duo, who struggled in the first two days, played the last 36 holes without a bogey but just couldn’t make a big leap as the rest of the field likewise turned in low rounds in the final two rounds.

Counting their eight-under 68 in the fourballs Saturday, the RP bets wound up with a 15-under 273 for a share of 16th with Singapore, which had a 71, and Thailand, which also shot a 69.

It was, however, way below Que and Pucay’s joint 10th finish in last year’s edition won by Sweden.

Italy, bannered by brothers Edoardo Molinari and Francesco Molinari, rallied with a four-under 68 to nip three-day leader Ireland by one for the crown with a 29-under 259 total.

The Molinaris made three straight birdies from No. 11 then watched the Irish pair of Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell miss birdie putts in the closing holes to snatch the victory. Ireland finished with a two-under 70 for a 260 and settled for joint second with Sweden, which came in with a 69.

England rallied with an eight under 64 and finished fourth at 262 while Japan fired a 69 to emerge the best Asian team in fifth with a 266.

Australia ended up sixth with a 267 after a 67 while the United States shot the day’s best score of 10-under 62 to salvage joint seventh at 268 with South Africa (71), Wales (70), Korea (68) and Germany (65).

Venezuela matched par 72 and shared 12th place with Chile, which made a 70, at 271 while India carded a 72 for joint 14th place with Denmark, which had a 70 for a 272.