Cool Monty and Warren bring world title home

There are not many titles that have failed to visit Colin Montgomerie's creaking trophy cabinet – well, the four majors apart, obviously – but it was easy to sense here in Shenzhen yesterday that the World Cup will be treated with the very best polish. For this victory meant a great deal to Monty. In fact, the old softie claimed, "it means everything".

Any hyperbole was perfectly understandable as not only was this the first time Scotland have lifted the prize since its inception in 1953, but also because of the dramatic scenes in which Montgomerie and Marc Warren prevailed. It was the third extra hole when they finally shook off the American partnership of Boo Weekley and Heath Slocum after an afternoon of action that was unbearably tense.

Indeed, it would have been just that – "unbearable" – if the Saltire had not been raised and Montgomerie and Warren had not shared the glory, not to mention the winning cheque of £800,000. Last year they were denied in Barbados by Germany on the first hole of a sudden-death shoot-out for what, incredibly, was Scotland's sixth runner-up finish. Here, when Warren stood over a 25-footer for par and Slocum eyed up a 10-footer for birdie, it appeared they were about to suffer the same cruel fate. But Warren nervelessly holed, Slocum's effort dribbled wide and the Scots were still alive and kicking. And, when the Americans bogeyed the same 18th some 30 minutes later, they were positively jumping.

"What a putt that was by Marc, as we were out at that stage, out," Montgomerie said. "It's a fantastic feeling as it's a long time for Scotland, 'the home of golf', to wait to win the World Cup. It means everything to us. And to do it in a play-off was doubly special for me as my play-off record is awful. I think I've lost 10 out of 12. But we won it because of the foursomes. A 66 today meant we were 10-under for the two foursome rounds and that was the best of any team."

It has all certainly given Nick Faldo, the Europe captain, food for thought, if not for a total revision of what he may have been thinking about Montgomerie's inclusion in next year's Ryder Cup. Not only did this prove that, at 44, Montgomerie can still win (many had feared July's rather fortuitous European Open success might be his last) but also that he is still a force to be reckoned with in the alternate-shot format. Two months ago, Faldo made some now infamous comments about Montgomerie's unhelpful attitude in the Seve Trophy team room. Last night, those words seemed as far wide of the mark as could possibly be, especially when listening to Warren.

"It's a good knowledge for whoever is playing alongside Colin that he has been there, seen it and done it so many times," Warren said. "In the foursomes he is outstanding. He's so good off the tee you basically walk forward and get ready to play your next shot from the middle of the fairway. And any time I left a pressure putt for Colin, he holed it. Then there was the encouragement he gave when I needed it for that putt in the play-off. I have learnt so much and it has been an honour to play with him."

The feeling was, inevitably, mutual, although Montgomerie's praise was richly deserved. He described his partner as having "potential written all over him" and said he fully expected the 30-year-old, currently ranked 148th in the world, "to progress hugely in the world of golf".

Purely on this evidence, Warren would not look out of place on Faldo's side. The cool fashion in which he rammed home the lifesaver, as well as critical 10-footers on the 15th and 16th in regulation play, suggests an unflappable nerve that could be of great use in Kentucky. If anything, he seemed the stronger of the two Scots, although that is not to say Montgomerie was at all shabby.

It was his sweetly struck six-iron from 202 yards on the 15th that set up the eagle that sent them to 25-under and effectively killed off one rival, England. Justin Rose and Ian Poulter had to settle for fourth after a brave 67. They will recall this event for the many putts which slipped by. So too will France, who came third, one behind. The only moments Weekley and Slocum will regret were those on the decisive hole.

Weekley's second was hit fat and ended 30 yards short and Slocum's chip was similarly timid. That was a shame as they led from start to almost finish and contributed so much to a week where the local fans came out in force – some 50,000 on the final day. The Americans' birdie three on the 18th for the 67 that forced the shoot-out was clinical, with Weekley's approach to seven feet an absolute beauty.

In fact, perhaps America should send the unknowns to represent them in all team events, because the manner in which Weekley and Slocum performed here portrayed a competitive edge not witnessed under the Stars and Stripes in recent Ryder Cups. But they were still no match for Monty. In head-to-head combat, the Americans rarely have been.

World Cup top finishers

Scotland won on third play-off hole. Leading finishers:

1= Scotland, US -25

3 France -24

4 England -23

5 South Africa -21

6= Netherlands, Germany,

Argentina -20.