Golf: Asia on verge of retaining Royal Trophy

Asia golf team

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The Asia golf team need just three-and-a-half points to retain the trophy after winning Saturday’s fourballs.

Asia and Europe shared the fourballs 2-2 after Asia won Friday’s foursomes 3-1 at the Dragon Lake Golf Club in Guangzhou, China.

They now go into Sunday’s round of eight singles with just those three-and-a-half points separating them from getting their hands on the trophy again.

Asia got off to the best possible start on Saturday when Thai pair Kiradech Aphibarnrat and Thongchai Jaidee beat Scots Paul Lawrie and Stephen Gallacher 2&1 to extend the lead to three.

Europe had a chance to reduce the deficit when England’s David Howell and Scotland’s Marc Warren found themselves two-up on the 17th tee only for Chinese pair Liang Wen-chong and Wu Ashun to snatch victory with a couple of birdies.

Austria’s Bernd Wiesberger and Dane Thorbjorn Olesen posted a 2&1 score over Japanese pair Ryo Ishikawa and Hiroyuki Fujita, and then Europe gave themselves a lifeline late on when Quiros drove the ball to within five feet of the hole before putting for a birdie.

Europe captain Jose Maria Olazabal emphasised just how important that final hole was.

“Getting a half in that last match has kept our hopes alive. If we have a solid start in the singles and put pressure on the Asian team then we can still turn it around.”

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