It wasn’t the same European team that took down the United States last year at Medinah in the Ryder Cup, but Europe pulled off another unlikely comeback in Sunday singles to beat Asia, 8 1/2 to 7 1/2, and reclaim the Royal Trophy.
The Euros went 5-0-1 in the final six singles matches, and when Nicolas Colsaerts of Belgium tapped in a two-foot par putt on the 17th hole to beat Liang Wen-chong of China, 3 and 2, the comeback at Dragon Lake Golf Club in Guangzhou, China, was complete.
“Our players did something extraordinary today,” said Jose Maria Olazabal of Spain (pictured with trophy), who captained both remarkable rallies. “We knew it was going to be difficult. I thank all eight of these fantastic guys. I’m proud of the way all of the team played.
“I have to say I had no idea it would turn out this way until the final hour, or hour and a half of play. I must admit I had my doubts, especially after we lost the first two points in the Singles and found ourselves trailing by four.”
Asia held a 7-3 lead after Kiradech Aphibarnrat of Thailand defeated Paul Lawrie of Scotland, 3 and 2, and Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand downed Stephen Gallacher of Scotland, 4 and 2, in the first two singles matches.
However, thing began to unravel when Ryo Ishikawa of Japan skulled his chip shot across the 18th green when the match was even and Marc Warren of Scotland pulled off a 1-up victory.
David Howell of England was 3 down with four to play, but captured the 15th and 16th holes with birdies, and won the 17th and 18th with pars to steal a point from Kim Hyung-sung of South Korea, who collapsed down the stretch.
“David’s win was the turning point,” said Olazabal, who lost the Royal Trophy as European captain in 2009 and 2012. “After that, everything looked possible.”
After Alvaro Quiros of Spain halved his match with K.T. Kim of South Korea, Thorborn Oleson of Denmark beat Wu Ahsun of China and Bernd Weisberger of Austria defeated Hiroyuki of Fujita of Japan, both by 3 and 2.
That left it up to Colsaerts, who was 1 down to Liang after 10 holes, but pulled ahead with birdies on the 11th and 15th holes before his opponent three-putted from 30 feet on the 17th hole.
Europe leads the series, 5-2.
The Americans led, 10-6, heading into Sunday last year in the Ryder Cup, but the Euros went 8-3-1 in singles to pull out a 14 1/2 to 13 1/2 victory to retain the Cup.
Lawrie and Colsaerts are the only players who were part of both European teams.
