Spain Walks Away With Dunhill

October 7, 1999 / 10:09 PM EDT / CBS/AP

Spain won its first Dunhill Cup title Sunday, defeating Australia amid 35 mph winds off the Firth of Tay.

The Spaniards won 2-1 behind victories from Jose Maria Olazabal and Miguel Angel Jimenez. The Aussies' only win came against Spanish sensation Sergio Garcia.

Olazabal beat Stephen Leaney 72-78 and Jimenez downed Peter O'Malley 73-75. Australia's Craig Parry defeated Garcia on the first playoff hole after the two finished at 3-under-par 69.

"It's been a good year," Garcia said. "I've played some good golf two victories, Ryder Cup, Dunhill Cup, you probably cannot ask for more. And I'm looking forward to winning some more."

A losing finalist last year, Spain ousted two-time defending champion South Africa 2-1 in the semifinals earlier in the day. In last year's final, South Africa beat Spain 3-0.

Australia, a winner in 1985 and 1986, defeated Sweden 2-1 in the other semifinal. The United States was eliminated from the 16-nation event Saturday with a loss to Sweden.

The Americans received silent but polite treatment by the Scottish galleries after their rowdy Ryder Cup triumph last month.

In Spain's winning semifinal, Ernie Els defeated Garcia 70-72; Jimenez beat David Frost 73-77; and Olazabal stopped Retief Goosen 75-76. Goosen sank a 40-foot eagle putt on the 18th hole.

Australiat topped Sweden 2-1. Australia's Parry defeated Gabriel Hjertstedt 72-75; Sweden's Patrik Sjoland beat O'Malley 76-78; and Australia's Leaney stopped Jarmo Sandelin on the first playoff hole after both closed regulation with 80s.