Paraguay pair claim World title

Paraguay's Julieta Granada and Celeste Troche led from start to finish to win the Women's World Cup of Golf at Sun City in South Africa.

Scotland were the best of the home countries, Mhairi McKay and Janice Moodie claiming joint fourth place alongside Italy after a closing round of 68 while Ireland finished second from bottom after a final round of 75.

But it was the Paraguayans that stole the show with a seven-shot win.

They struck a day's best 65 in the final-round fourballs to deservedly claim the €200,000 prize on nine under par.

The American Solheim Cup pair of Juli Inkster and Pat Hurst finished second on two under after a 67 and South Korean's Ji Yai Shin and Young Kim also shot 67 for third place on one under.

The Scots were tied with Italy on one over - a fine performance for a pair who only gained a late invitation to take part after the Philippines withdrew.

"It was a good effort for so early in the year," said Moodie, who was playing for the first time since giving birth to son, Craig, last September.

"I think we could have done even better, but considering we only heard we were playing last week it was pretty good. I think we would have taken fourth place before the start."

Welsh pair Becky Morgan and Becky Brewerton, third last year, matched Scotland's 68 and finished in eighth place on six over, with England's Laura Davies and Trish Johnson in ninth place on seven over after a 67.

Granada, a 20-year-old who had a great rookie season on the 2006 LPGA Tour, and Troche were surprise winners, but never really wavered in the final round. They started with a four-shot lead and did drop a shot at the first hole.

But they then made eight birdies, the last two coming at the final two holes, including a chip-in on 17, to spark the celebrations.

"That chip-in on 17 made us realise that this wasn't just a dream but that it was actually happening," said Troche, who has lost her LPGA card and will play on the US Futures Tour this year.

BOB HOPE CLASSIC:Robert Allenby was the only golfer of the top 10 under par and was tied with Justin Rose for the lead midway through the final round of the Bob Hope Classic.

Allenby was two under par through nine holes and reached 17-under.

Rose, who began the round tied for the lead at 20-under par with Lucas Glover, was three over par through eight holes, while Glover was four over par through eight holes. Jeff Quinney was a stroke behind at even par, with Charlie Hoffman and Glover.

High winds were the reason for the inflated scores. Swirling winds estimated at 30 mph with gusts to 50 mph have pummelled the golfers for most of the round.

The wind helped Charlie Hoffman to a 380-yard drive, two balls were hit into the water on the same hole by Harrison Frazar, while Kevin Na five-putted on a dried out number 16th green.

CHAMPIONS TOUR: Hale Irwin held a three-shot lead over Tom Kite going into the final round of the Champions Tour MasterCard Championship at Hualalai, Hawaii.

Des Smyth was at six-under-par after two holes of the final round.