11/30/2008 - Shenzhen, China (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Sweden's Henrik Stenson and Robert Karlsson teamed to fire a nine-under 63 on Sunday to run away with the title at the World Cup.
Sweden completed the event at 27-under-par 261 for the first win for the country since 1991. That year, Anders Forsbrand and Per-Ulrik Johansson were victorious by a single stroke over the team from Wales.
The Swedes posted the 63 in foursomes or alternate shot format Sunday. It was easily the low round of the day.
"We've had a great time all week," Stenson stated. "We played fantastic today obviously to go out and shoot that score. I kind of felt we would have a chance if we got going and we did."
Spain and Australia shared the lead entering the final round. Spain's Miguel Angel Jimenez and Pablo Larrazabal managed a two-under 70 to take second place at 24-under-par 264.
The Aussie tandem of Richard Green and Brendan Jones struggled to a four-over 76 that dropped them into a share of third at minus-18. They were joined there by Japan. Ryuji Imada and Toru Taniguchi combined to shoot 68 for Japan in the final round.
The Swedes played steady golf throughout the final round. They opened with a birdie on the first and came back with birdies on three and five at Mission Hills Golf Club.
The duo combined to get up and down of birdie on the seventh. That moved them to 22-under and a share of the lead. After Spain also birdied the seventh, the Swedes responded with a birdie on nine to create another tie at minus-23.
Around the turn, the Swedes turned it on. They birdied the 11th, then Stenson rolled in a six-footer for birdie on 12 to push them to 25-under.
Stenson chipped in for birdie on 14 and they followed with another birdie on 15 to climb to 27-under, where they were four strokes clear of the Spanish team.
The Swedes carded routine pars on the final three holes to secure the title.
"It was very important in a situation like today where you need to pick up a few shots," said Karlsson of the Swedes hot start. "I knew I had to turn my game around from Saturday, but Henrik was playing better and better all week. I felt good going out today."
Spain did not collect its first birdie until the seventh. Larrazabal rolled in a four-footer for birdie on 15 to move Spain to 24-under. They headed to the final three holes three shots down.
After they parred 16, Larrazabal connected on a birdie effort on the 17th to get them within two.
However, his drive found a fairway bunker at the last. Jimenez needed to hole the shot to force a playoff, but instead came up well short after his second shot hit the lip of the bunker. They ended up making bogey to end three back.
Germany's Alex Cejka and Martin Kaymer faltered to a one-over 73 Sunday. That left them alone in fifth at 16-under-par 272. England, who was represented by Ian Poulter and Ross Fisher were one shot back at minus-five after closing with a five-under 67.
Rory Sabbatini and Richard Sterne of South Africa also closed with a 67 to share seventh place the Thailand's Thongchai Jaidee and Prayad Marksaeng at 14-under-par 274.
The United States duo of Ben Curtis and Brandt Snedeker tripped to a one-over 73 in the final round to end alone in ninth at minus-13.
<< Clippers manage to squeak past Heat
Los Angeles, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Zach Randolph and Al Thornton scored 27
points apiece to help the Clippers edge the Heat, 97-96.
Baron Davis scored 15 points and doled out nine assists for Los Angeles, which
saw its four-game slide
<< Flames sweep series from Canucks
Calgary, AB (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - David Moss and Matthew Lombardi scored third-
period goals as Calgary slipped past Vancouver, 3-1, at Pengrowth Saddledome.
Daymond Langkow netted the other goal for the Flames, who swept the home-and-
home
<< Sharks extend winning streak to seven in Phoenix
Glendale, AZ (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Joe Pavelski scored twice and the San Jose
Sharks rallied from a two-goal deficit for a 3-2 win over the Phoenix Coyotes
in a Pacific Division battle.
Rob Blake also scored and Milan Michalek tallied tw
<< Terry, Mavs too much for Kings
Sacramento, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Jason Terry scored 24 points off the bench,
leading the Dallas Mavericks to a 101-78 rout of the Sacramento Kings at ARCO
Arena.
Dirk Nowitzki added 19 points and eight rebounds for the Mavericks, who ha
Lakers wrap up homestand vs. Raptors >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Los Angeles Lakers will try to close out a perfect
five-game homestand tonight versus the Toronto Raptors at Staples Center.
Los Angeles is 4-0 so far on the residency and improved to 8-1 as the host
with Fri
Nets close out trek at Phoenix >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The New Jersey Nets will wrap up a four-game road trip out
west tonight with a showdown against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center.
New Jersey is 2-1 on the trek after back-to-back wins, including Saturday's
105-88
Rockets try to stay hot on the road in Denver >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Houston Rockets shoot for their fifth straight road win
tonight when they take on the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center.
Houston has won four in row away from home and is 7-3 as the visitor this
season. In Satur
Sixers aim to snap skid versus Bulls >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Philadelphia 76ers will try to snap a three-game losing
streak Sunday when they welcome the Chicago Bulls to the Wachovia Center for
the opener of a home-and-home series.
Philadelphia dropped its third consecutive ga
American Idol odds : Blake Lewis the Early Standout
An important American Idol betting lines recap from February 20 Guys episode. The 12 men came out flat overall with Blake Lewis appearing to have the early edge after the first hour and a half.
Rudy - was quite good singing "Free Ride" to start off. Randy was not impressed though. Paula thought he started off fantastic. "Never had anyone stop off so lively" said Paula but Simon (who does not like Rudy) does not feel he has a distinct voice and was not impressed either.
Brandon was a little pitchy according to Randy and Paula agreed. Simon said he was a good singer but the song was "too safe" and he needs to make an impact. He was listed at +1200 odds or $1200 paid out on a $100 bet should he win the competition.
Big favorite Sundance came in with a flat version of "Knights in White Satin" and the judges let him have it, including Paula. Randy claimed the song was out of pitch throughout.
Korean American - and a Jenny Woo favorite - Paul Kim was up next. Another pitchy flat one but Randy said he still liked his potential. Kim at +3000 odds was said to have sung a "third rate version of that (George Michael) song" according to Simon Cowell. He sang "Careless Whisper".
22 year old Chris Richardson was up next. He was listed with +1100 odds coming in. He got the best response from the judges though Simon did not believe the vocal was that great.
Nick was boring and pitchy. Simon didn't think he was that bad though and predicted he would be back next week. Nick Pedro was a big +3000 dog coming into this competition.
Beat boxer Blake Lewis was listed with early +1000 odds or $1000 payout on a $100 bet if he were to become the next American Idol winner odds . These of course were the early odds. He was considered original for picking an "odd song". He did not beat box and the judges felt it was the best vocal of the night.
Sanjaya came in as the second biggest favorite after Chris Sligh but his performance Tuesday night was not very good.
Chris Sleigh was the early favorite at +450 odds. Great voice and a great sense of humor. He's a real standout. Randy felt it was on point but maybe ahead of the chorus a little bit. Simon Cowell said he felt like he was in some "sort of weird student gig".
Jared Cotter followed. He was listed with +2000 odds early on to win the competition. The judges felt he needs to take more risks but looked good.
22-year old AJ Talbado, who has tried out for American Idol five times, was up next. "Kind of a theme park performance" said Simon. Though the judges felt he performed okay. Simon did feel AJ might be better than he originally thought.
Phil - this season's military favorite - came into this competition with +1200 odds to win the competition. He was the last to perform. He was certainly strong enough to get through this stage of the competition and perhaps the best one after a shaky start.
Tomorrow night, the ladies perform and I sure hope they do a better job than the boys. Check out all the American Idol betting odds here.
To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com - this sportsbook accepts credit cards.
Sports Betting News: NFL Team History | Football Betting | Baseball Betting | Basketball Betting | Hockey Betting | Golf Betting | Tennis Betting | Auto Racing Betting | Horse Racing Betting | Soccer Betting