Asia close in on victory

Asia were on the brink of a memorable victory over Europe in The Royal Trophy midway through the final day at Amata Spring Country Club near Bangkok.

Leading by five after two days, Joe Ozaki’s Asia team required just two more points from eight singles duels to clinch a first title in the third edition of the Ryder Cup-style matchplay contest.

The hosts led in four of the contests and were all-square in two others as they appeared set to triumph by a convincing margin.

European captain Jose Maria Olazabal called for his troops to make a fast start and wrest the initiative from the hosts.

However, despite the efforts of Paul Lawrie, who was one up on Liang Wen-chong after nine holes of match two, and Johan Edfors – leading SK Ho by four through six – it was the red of Asia which dominated the scoreboard.

Japanese prodigy Ryo Ishikawa was all-square with Soren Hansen in the front match.

The 17-year-old world number 60 won the second, sixth and ninth holes, with the Dane responding on the fourth and fifth and 10th.

Nick Dougherty won the eighth after Charlie Wi found the water on the par-three island hole for the Englishman to draw level, but Asia were ahead in four of the five remaining matches, making Edfors’ efforts in match six seem redundant.

Thai star Prayad Marksaeng, who won both his foursomes and four-balls encounters alongside compatriot Thongchai Jaidee, was running away with his contest against Spain’s Pablo Larrazabal, moving to five up after seven.

Hideto Tanihara led England’s Oliver Wilson by one after six, while Toru Taniguchi was two up on Niclas Fasth through five.

Finally, Thongchai led from the opening hole to move to three up on Paul McGinley after five as defeat for the Irishman – undefeated in team matchplay with three Ryder Cup wins and two triumphs in The Royal Trophy – and Europe seemed inevitable.