Golf Croquet World Champions: USA Wins Early 7-0

The final day of the 2025 PFC Mallets Golf Croquet WTC brought some weather and an early finish to the Openshaw Finals test as Team USA delivered the one win needed in the first doubles match of the day.

U.S. captain Ben Rothman and current GC World Champion Blake Fields paired up again to work for the win as they went up against Egypt’s Mohamed Nasr and Mohamed Taha. All went according to plan as Rothman and Fields picked up a 7-4 win in game one to get the day off on the right foot. Team USA’s Matthew Essick was also in action in a singles match against Khaled Kamel and he started strong with a 7-3 win in the first game. So, the next round features two games in progress that could clinch the test for the U.S.

The doubles match got the first opportunity as a hoop 12 battle left an open hoop shot for Fields. He left no doubt sailing his ball through for the win to kick off a U.S. celebration and a 7-0 test win. According to CroquetScores.com, no other games were played in the test.

RELEGATION BATTLE: SPAIN SURVIVES

Elzaburu wins at the 13th hoop to kick off a celebration for Spain

With the Openshaw Shield decided, the focus shifted to the Ireland vs Spain relegation test. The day opened with Ireland leading 3-2 and needing two match wins in four to win the test. But Spain answered early with Nicolas Denizot taking a 7-4, 7-5 win over Simon Williams to get to 3-3.

Ireland’s Mark Stephens opened his match with a 7-4 win over Juan Ojeda, but Ojeda answered back with 7-3, 7-5 wins to flip the script and put Spain up 4-3 and one match victory away from the test win. But Kieran Murphy took a decisive 7-1, 7-4 win over Julian Gutierrez to tie it up at 4-4 and force a deciding match.

The decider would feature Spain’s Begona Elzaburu against Rob O’Donoghue for Ireland. Elzaburu came out fast with a 7-2 win in game one. O’Donoghue then answered with a 7-3 win and the match went to game three. Not surprisingly, it went to the 13th hoop where Elzaburu was able to get the clincher and avoid relegation for Spain.

WCF GOLF CROQUET WORLD TEAM FINALS

2025 - USA 7, Egypt 0
2020 - New Zealand 7, Egypt 4
2016 - New Zealand 7, Egypt 5
2012 - Egypt 7, New Zealand 5

For more information on the 2025 PFC Mallets Golf Croquet WTC, visit www.gcworldteamstasmania2025.com.au. Photos courtesy of the 2025 Openshaw Shield Facebook page.