IRELAND’S hopes of repeating their 1997 triumph all but evaporated, after a 77 left them seven-over at the World Cup at Kiawah Island.

Just as South Korea had opened the 17th World Cup finals in colourful style in Seoul, so Japan ended it in equally dramatic fashion in Yokohama.

Just as South Korea had opened the 17th World Cup finals in colourful style in Seoul, so Japan ended it in equally dramatic fashion in Yokohama.