Royal Trophy Golf: Europe comeback stuns Asia

Royal Trophy asia team

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Europe stormed back from a 5-3 deficit to defeat Asia 8.5-7.5 on the final day to win the Royal Trophy at the Dragon Lake Golf Club in Guangzhou.

Asia were well on course to retain their title with just three-and-a-half points required on Sunday following the sharing of the fourballs session on Saturday.

However, just like at Medinah last year when they came from nowhere to snatch the Ryder Cup away from the United States, the Europeans again rallied under the leadership of captain Jose Maria Olazabal.

Things got worse before they improved on Sunday though, as Kiradech Aphibarnrat beat Paul Lawrie 3&2, while Thai Thongchai Jaidee defeated Stephen Gallacher 4-2 to make it 7-3 to Asia.

But, with only one-and-a-half points required by the Asia team from the remaining six matches, Europe burst into life, with Marc Warren, David Howell, Thorbjorn Olesen, Bernd Wiesberger and Nicolas Colsaerts all winning. Alvaro Quiros halved his game with Kim Kyung-Tae to hand Europe another unlikely victory.

“I want to thank these fantastic eight guys who did something extraordinary today,” Olazabal said on the 18th green before lifting the Royal Trophy.

“It is something, to be honest, I had a few doubts (about), especially through the round. Thank you very much for your contribution.”

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