Kuchar and English romp to Shootout win

Matt Kuchar and Harris English combined to shoot 14-under-par 58 on Sunday for a record-setting victory in the Franklin Templeton Shootout. Kuchar and English went into Sunday's final round of the unofficial event for two-man teams with a four-stroke lead and finished on 34-under-par 182. Their 54-hole scored matched the 34-under-par 182 tournament record set in 1990 by Fred Couples and Raymond Floyd when the event was staged at Sherwood Country Club in California. It improved the low 54-hole score since the event moved to Tiburon Golf Club, which was a 33-under-par 183 by Brad Faxon and Scott McCarron in 2001. The seven-stroke margin of victory also broke the tournament record of six strokes set in 1989 by David Duval and Fred Couples. "It was nice to come here and perform well," said Kuchar. "We made a boatload of birdies. It was a fun three days for sure." South Africa's Retief Goosen and teammate Freddie Jacobson of Sweden shot 61 on Tiburon Golf Club's Gold Course to take second place on 27-under 189. The english duo of Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood fired a 59 and grabbed third at 26-under. Chris DiMarco and Billy Horschel placed fourth at 24-under, one stroke ahead of last year's champions Kenny Perry and Sean O'Hair, who had led after Friday's opening round. Kuchar and English took charge in Saturday's better-ball format and never wavered in Sunday's scramble. In addition to their 12 birdies, the duo highlighted their round with an eagle at the par-five 17th. English split the fairway off the tee and Kuchar landed the second shot within 10 feet of the pin, with English converting the eagle putt. "Harris hit a great drive, only had 200 to the front, I think it was 217 to the hole into a little bit of wind," Kuchar said. "I had a hybrid club that in those conditions needs to be hit well. I hit it perfectly and knew that when I hit it was going to turn out good, went to probably eight feet for eagle. "Again, it was another hole I didn't have to putt. Harris poured another one right in the middle." English said he was looking forward to a short Christmas vacation with his family, before the US PGA Tour's 2013-14 season resumes in Hawaii in January. Source: AFP