By V. Krishnaswamy
Shenzhen (China), Nov 29 (IANS) Indian golfers Jeev Milkha Singh and Jyoti Randhawa faltered on the back nine, dropping three crucial bogeys to throw away the chance of their best-ever finish at the Omega Mission Hills World Cup here Sunday.

The Indians, playing together for the second year running, finished with a final round 72 that saw them finish at 16-under 272 and in a tie for 14th place, exactly midway through the 28-nation competition.

As the curtain came down on the Omega World Cup, the last major event of the year, Italian brothers Francesco and Edoardo combined perfectly to pip Ireland, who had led for almost three and a half days and defending champions, Sweden, who made a strong challenge.

Italy finished with a total of 29-under 259 with a final round of 68, while Ireland (70) with Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell and Sweden (69) with Henrik Stenson and Robert Karlsson, tied for second at 260.

England were fourth, Japan fifth and Australia sixth. Five teams, South Korea, Germany, Wales, South Africa and the US were seventh. Venzeula and Chile shared 12th place and then India with Denmark were 14th.

India, ninth overnight, looked set for their best-ever finish as they turned in two-under with birdies on the second and fourth. They parred the rest of the front nine.

On the back nine, their woes began with the tenth, where they dropped their first bogey and then came the second one on 13th as they dropped to par for the day. A birdie on he 17th was negated by a bogey on the closing hole for a 72 that saw India finish tied 14th at 16-under 272.

The Indians once again were a bit lost with putts just not falling.

“This week was a story of missed putts,” said Jeev. “I felt we had a very good chance of a top-five. But the back nine on third day when we failed to build on a good front nine was disappointing and now on final day it was again the same story on back nine.”

Randhawa, who was playing his fourth World Cup, said: “I agree with Jeev. We hit the ball well, but could not get the putter to work. In the end it all boils to holing the putts and we did not do that.”

While Jeev flies off to Japan for his last event of the year, Randhawa will return home and take break till the Gulf Swing on the European Tour in January.

“I have one more week in Japan, where I defend my title in Nippon Series and then I will spend time with the family in Chandigarh,” said Jeev.

Randhawa has plans for a skydiving holiday first and then will get back to practice in time for January events.

It was a historic win for Italy as they won the glittering trophy for the first time. They edged out Ireland and Sweden in a thriller that came right down to the came down to the 72nd hole. The Molinari brothers showed perfect combination to get up and down from a greenside bunker to take the title by a single stroke.

On the last tee on the Olazábal Course they had a one shot lead over playing partners Ireland and Sweden who were approaching the 18th green, Franceso fired a perfect drive down the middle of the fairway to set up Italy’s victory charge.

It was a dramatic scene as Edoardo stood over his approach shot to the green. Just then Sweden’s Henrik Stenson watched in agony as his 45 foot birdie putt to tie the Italians lipped out, leaving Italy needing a par four to create history - but that was if Ireland did not make birdie.

Edoardo pushed his approach into the bunker before Rory McIlroy gave Ireland one last chance, but Graeme McDowell could only watch on as his birdie attempt stayed above ground giving Italy a chance to make history.

“It’s been a tough day and we have been playing against some of the best golfers in the world. It was really tough until the last, but it feels even better when it is like that,” said Francesco. “It’s really great for Italy. I think we deserved it as we attacked from the first day with every putt and every shot and we tried to make as many birdies as possible.