Worldwide Golf

GREAT Britain & Ireland won their fifth successive Vivendi Trophy with Seve Ballesteros after despite a spirited comeback from Continental Europe in Paris.

GB& I laid the foundations for victory with excellent performances on the opening two days which gave them a two point lead heading into Saturday. They then dominated the Saturday matches taking the fourballs 3-1 and the foursomes 3½ - ½ which gave them a commanding lead heading into the singles.

The Northern Irish duo of Rory McIlroy and Greame McDowell won the first two singles matches on the Sunday against Swedes Henrik Stenson and Robert Karlsson respectively to clinch the victory with eight matches still on the course.

The final score was Great Britain & Ireland 16 ½ - 11 ½ Continental Europe.