| Irish pair play heroes part in Bangkok
Paul McGinley and Graeme McDowell played a heroes’ part in the European
team’s victory over Asia in the Royal Trophy in Bangkok on Sunday.
Europe won the inaugural competition 9-7.
However an unrated Asian team gave their more illustrious opponents some
anxious moments.
Requiring just two-and-a-half points for victory on the final day Europe
lost five of the eight singles matches as
Asia seized the initiative at the Amata Spring Country Club.
Eventually it took the composure of McGinley then McDowell and finally
Sweden’s Henrik Stenson to clinch an unimpressive victory with a 5 and 4
win over home player Thongchai Jaidee in the final singles game.
Europe captain Seve Ballesteros — who completed the hat-trick of Ryder
Cup, Seve Trophy and now Royal Trophy wins as captain — said: “I am
really happy with the final score. It has been a great two days of
competition and the team played fantastically.
“The Asians showed a tremendous game and sportsmanship.”
Meanwhile Graeme McDowell admitted that Asia really put it up to the
European team on day two of the Royal Trophy.
He said: “I spoke to Seve as I came off the ninth and I had just lost
two holes on the bounce to go back to one up.
“Seve said things weren’t looking too great on the golf course. I
realised my match would be important and every point we put on the board
was going to be big but I didn’t realise how close it was going to be in
the end.
“We have a strong team but they came out strong, and thankfully we came
through. In the end, we gave them too much to do.” |
