US retain UBS Cup after tie

The United States tonight retained the UBS Cup after a dramatic 12-12 tie with the Rest of the World at Sea Island.

Eduardo Romero looked like securing the visitors’ first victory in the Ryder Cup-style event when he led Scott Hoch with one hole to play in the decisive 12th singles match.

But the 49-year-old Argentinian bogeyed the 18th and had to settle for half a point, meaning unlike the Presidents Cup’s controversial finish earlier on Sunday, Arnold Palmer’s side kept the trophy as defending champions.

Hale Irwin had set the ball rolling for the home side with a record-breaking 7&5 thrashing of Bernhard Langer, and Bruce Lietzke and Mark O’Meara quickly added more points with 6&5 wins over Barry Lane and Ian Woosnam respectively.

Captain Tony Jacklin stopped the rot with victory over his opposite number Arnold Palmer, and Nick Faldo then levelled the match scores with a two-hole victory over Curtis Strange.

Colin Montgomerie birdied the last to halve his match with Tom Watson and veterans Des Smyth and Bill Longmuir then appeared to have swung the contest the visitors’ way with crucial wins over Craig Stadler and Rocco Mediate.

But Brad Faxon held on to beat a determined Carl Mason 2&1 and the first of two crucial halved matches kept the United States alive.

Australia’s Rodger Davis left a 10ft putt to win his match on the 17th inches short and bogeyed the last hole to halve with Ray Floyd.

And then Romero saw Hoch eagle the par-five 15th as he recovered from two down with four to play.