Golf: Els and Westner set Cup record

South Africans Ernie Els and Wayne Westner romped to a record 18-shot World Cup victory at Somerset West in South Africa yesterday. It beat the previous best winning margin of 14 strokes set by Ben Hogan and Sam Snead in 1956 and equalled by Fred Couples and Davis Love III in 1994 and 1995.

World matchplay champion Els did not ease up even though the pair carried a 13-stroke advantage into the final round.

He closed with a 67 to finish 16-under and also carried off the International Trophy as leading individual. Westner finished three back in second place after a 70.

The low round of the tournament and final day was claimed by Ireland's Darren Clarke who shot a 64 despite a double-bogey six at the 10th hole.

The South African duo shared the $400,000 (pounds 250,000) first prize with Els collecting an additional $100,000 (pounds 62,500) for his individual success.

Scotland were unable to hold off the challenge of the United States, finishing third on 10-under as Tom Lehman and Steve Jones improved by five shots on the final day to finish on 11-under.

Greg Norman produced a flawless final round of 69 to take the Australian Open in Sydney for the fifth time. The Great White Shark had an eight- under-par total of 280, with Wayne Grady, the 1990 US PGA champion, second after a three-under-par 69. New Zealander David Smail had a 73 to finish third on 290. Tiger Woods, who came close to missing the cut after an opening round of 79, completed his recovery with a top 10 finish.

The former PGA champion and Ryder Cup player Paul Way's 75 for 18 over at the Sotogrande Tour Qualifying School means he will enter next season without a Tour card for the first time since he turned professional in 1981.