Asian golfers enjoy one-point adavntage
Asia made a solid start in their bid to stage a successful defence of the Royal Trophy today after claiming a 2½-1½ advantage over Europe in the opening day's foursomes.
The hosts are looking to claim a second successive victory, having beaten Europe for the first time in the tournament's history last year, and things looked promising as they appeared set for a 3-1 lead at one stage.
But a crucial half point from Soren Kjeldsen and Peter Hanson, secured with a win in par at the 17th against Indian duo Jeev Milkha Singh and Gaganjeet Bhullar, reduced the deficit heading into tomorrow's fourballs.
Japanese duo Ryo Ishikawa and Koumei Oda got Asia under way as they defeated Scotland's Colin Montgomerie - who is captaining Europe as well as playing - and Pablo Martin of Spain 3&2.
Europe drew level when Robert Karlsson and Alexander Noren beat Charlie Wi and Liang Wen-Chong 4&2 before Kjeldsen and Hanson's contribution.
It was then left to Thai duo Prayad Marksaeng and Thongchai Jaidee to wrap up a 3&1 win over England's Simon Dyson and Swede Henrik Stenson and give Asia a one-point advantage heading into tomorrow's fourballs.
"I am delighted with how we escaped really today," said Montgomerie. "At one stage it was (heading for) 3-1 down so it is a big, big difference for it be 2 1/2-1 1/2.
"That is all credit to the players coming back, especially Peter and Soren as that half point is vital.
"We always thought these matches would be close and that is now proven. We look forward to a very stiff competition again tomorrow."
Montgomerie had stressed the importance of gaining momentum on the first day and things look promising as the 46-year-old and Martin were two up after the first two holes.
Ishikawa and Oda double-bogeyed the first before the former's putt for par on the second lipped out to hand the hole to Europe.
But Montgomerie and Martin let that advantage slip as they three-putted the third from seven feet before Ishikawa sank a birdie on the next hole to level.
Ishikawa and Oda then seized the initiative with birdies on the seventh and eighth to take a two-hole lead and, though Europe responded with a birdie on the ninth, Asia claimed holes 11 and 14 to win the match.
Karlsson and Noren produced the best performance for Europe as they recovered from an early deficit to defeat Wi and Liang.
The Swedish pair were trailing by one after five holes but turned the match on its head from the sixth with two successive birdies before Liang's tee shot went into the drink on the eighth to hand Europe a two-hole advantage.
Karlsson and Noren then birdied the 12th before closing out the match on the 16th with another birdie.
