Team Asia shares inaugural EurAsia Cup with Europe following final round comeback

Johannesburg: Team Asia has snatched a share of the inaugural EurAsia Cup by pulling off a stirring comeback in the final round by winning six of 10 singles matches played on Saturday.

The outcome will go some way towards helping raise the profile of the Ryder Cup-styled tournament clouded by a war of words between its organisers and those who stage the rival Royal Trophy competition. According to Sport24, the spectacular collapse of Team Europe, who entered the final day singles matches 7-3 up, was totally unexpected, despite Asia`s marvellous fightback on the second day after a 5-0 thrashing in the four-balls on Thursday. The report mentioned that Thailand`s Prayad Marksaeng fought back from four down after the first nine to halve with world number 28 Jamie Donaldson in the fourth match-up of the day at the Glenmarie Golf and Country Club in Kuala Lumpur. Asia drew level at 8.5 after winning five of the opening seven ties and halving one when captain Thongchai Jaidee defeated Major winner Graeme McDowell 3 and 2, while reigning Asian number one Kiradech Aphibarnrat then beat Thomas Bjorn 2 and 1. Asia got more points when Kim Hyung-Sung beat Pablo Larrazabal 4 and 2, Anirban Lahiri edging Victor Dubuisson 2 and 1 and Gaganjeet Bhullar thrashing Thorbjorn Olesen 4 and 3. Asia went into the lead for the first time in the contest at 9.5-8.5 when Siddikur Rahman outplayed Stephen Gallacher 4 and 3, only for Joost Luiten to edge Koumei Oda on the final hole. Only European captain Miguel Angel Jimenez held his nerve as he edged Malaysian Nicholas Fung at the last hole when the local youngster could only lip out his final putt after splendidly going toe-to-toe with the Spaniard through 17 holes. Prime Minister Najib Razak presented the prizes and also confirmed Malaysia will host the next two editions of the Eur Asia Cup in 2016 and 2018, the report added.