GWENT'S Becky Morgan and partner Becky Brewerton battled their way to third place in the Women's World Cup at Sun City in South Africa - beating the American team.

The tournament was won by the Swedish team of world number one Annika Sorenstam and Liselotte Neumann, with Scotland (Catriona Matthew and Janice Moodie) coming second.

The Welsh pair shot closing rounds of 73 and 75. Morgan said: "I would have taken third at the start of the week. We both played well all week and it's a good result in such top-class company."

Sorenstam had a 70 and Neumann shot 77 to each earn £65,000, while Matthew and Moodie both went home with cheques for £45,500.

"It is a great way to start the year," said Sorenstam, who has dominated women's golf for the past five years. "This was my first visit to South Africa, and I have loved every minute."

Neumann was probably the more solid of the Swedes on the opening two days of fourballs and foursomes, but Sorenstam came into her own in the individual round.

Just as shots seemed to be slipping away, she produced a magnificent eagle three from eight feet at the long 14th to steady the ship.

"It's wonderful when you have the world number one as your partner," said Neumann, a former US and British Open Champion. "I played really well over the first two days, and then Annika came into her own."

* Chris DiMarco believes the family connection made his first tournament victory in four years at the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship even sweeter.

The American, playing in his first European Tour event outside the majors and World Golf Championships, had his wife Amy as his caddie for the four days, which ended in a one-shot victory over Sweden's Henrik Stenson.

Victory in the inaugural running of the event netted him £188,000 and his first trophy since the 2002 Phoenix Open.

And DiMarco revealed the fateful decision for her to be by his side for the first time in more than seven years was taken off the cuff.

"It was great to be able to walk up the 18th with a chance to win the tournament with her on the bag," he said.

"I think this happened for a reason. One of my brothers caddies and he couldn't do it so on a whim a month ago I just said 'Why don't you go ahead and caddy?'

"To have her on the bag when I won the golf tournament is unbelievable, it's great for us as a couple to be able to experience that. I owe at lot this week to her.

"I think this was the most special win to have her out there with me and I told her so.

"The last time she caddied for me was seven or eight years ago and I was a very mediocre player back then. She agreed I've got a lot better since. But I think she's done with caddying now."

* Gwent's Phillip Price finished tied in 20th position on seven under par after hitting rounds of 73, 70, 67 and 71. Fellow Welshmen Stephen Dodd and David Park finished on six under (73, 71, 70 and 68) and three under (73, 68, 75 and 71) respectively.