Former KU Golfer Woodland Wins World Cup

Nov. 28, 2011

HAINAN, China – Gary Woodland and Matt Kuchar combined to shoot a 5-under 67 in alternate-shot format to win the World Cup at the Mission Hills Blackstone Course Sunday.

The victory marked the first time a United States team won the World Cup in 11 years, dating back to 2000 when Tiger Woods and David Duval won the title. For the tournament, Woodland and Kuchar posted a score of 24-under 264, defeating the English and Germany teams by two strokes.

Woodland and Kuchar moved into position to have a chance at the title when they shot a 9-under 63 in the third round playing fourball format. Woodland, who played at KU from 2004-07 and won four collegiate tournaments while a Jayhawk, received high praise from his teammate following the event.

“I’ll say, without a doubt, I think Gary was the best player in the field this week as an individual,” said Kuchar. “He played fantastic. For golf, there aren’t that many opportunities to be a world champion. For Gary and I to team up, represent the United States and become world champions, it feels great.”

Woodland just concluded his most successful season as a professional in 2011. In his third year on the PGA Tour, Woodland claimed five top-five finishes and won The Transitions Championhip. Out of the 25 events he entered, Woodland placed in the top 25 in 15 of them. Woodland also finished in the top 30 of all four majors, including a tie for 12th place at the 2011 PGA Championship. He ended the regular season ranked 10th in the FedEx Cup point standings and played well enough in the FedEx Cup Playoffs to be one of only 30 golfers to qualify for the prestigious TOUR Championship.