You know the last time an American team walked away from the Omega World Cup, a team event pitting two United States players against teams from all over the globe, with a trophy? A guy in wraparound Oakleys was one of the hottest golfers on the planet, and Tiger Woods was still accepting these types of invites.
Yes, Matt Kuchar and Gary Woodland won the team event in China on Sunday for the first time since David Duval and Tiger were teamed up together in 2000, and did so with some really great play throughout the entire week.
It just seemed to click with the long-hitting Woodland and the accurate Kuchar, who drained some long putts during Sunday's alternate shot to post a five-under 67 to finish at 24-under for the week, two shots clear of a late-charging English team of Ian Poulter and Justin Rose.
It might not be the type of marquee event that gets the regular news outlets buzzing, but it wasn't like Kuchar and Woodland were playing against the B-team of golf. Before the final round, the Irish team of Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell, the past two U.S. Open winners, were two shots clear of the field, but could only muster an even-par round on Sunday, dropping them well behind the Americans.
It also brings up a simple thought for a similar event in 2012; what about Woodland as a captain's pick at the Ryder Cup? An intimidating figure off the tee, if he could do this well with Kuchar as his teammate, holing big putts and really carrying the team for the first two days, why wouldn't he be able to transition that to a team event where you have to play the same formats that you do at this World Cup?
Kuchar is all but certain a spot next year at Medinah, but it might be worth taking a look at Woodland as a captain's pick if you are Davis Love III.
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