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Asia triumph by 5 points over Japan

A charged up Asia won the Visa Dynasty Cup in convincing fashion after trouncing Japan in the 12 singles showdowns on a glorious final day shootout at Mission Hills Golf Club on Sunday.

Hsieh Min-nan's men, who took a one point lead into the final day, magnificently rose to the challenge, winning six matches, halving four and conceding only two defeats to the Japanese team skippered by Isao Aoki.

The final scoreline read 14 ½ to 9 ½ in Asia's favour, a stunning result which will send shockwaves back to Japan as their team boasted the likes of world number 24 Shigeki Maruyama, Shingo Katayama and Tomohiro Kondo.

Asian debutants Mardan Mamat and Angelo Que were the team's heroes. Singapore's Mamat pulled off a 3 & 1 victory over Toru Suzuki to ensure that Asia would not lose the Visa Dynasty Cup before Filipino Que rattled home a 15-footer for par on the 18th green to seal a one-hole win over Hideki Kase and give Asia their winning point.

"Japan brought out a good team this time after losing in 2003 but we showed that we are strong. I'm very happy with my players. Winning for the second time proves that Asian golf has a high standard. We kept fighting and never gave up. That was the key to victory," said a jubilant Hsieh.

Veteran Boonchu Ruangkit of Thailand gave the title holders a dream start in the top singles, playing steadily to eke out a 2 & 1 success over Takuya Taniguchi. As expected, the other matches were touch and go, which resulted in four matches being halved and three others ending in one-hole finishes.

Asia's other singles winners were Thailand's Thammanoon Srirot, Prayad Marksaeng and local hero Zhang Lian-wei, who beat Maruyama in the last match 3 & 2. It extended Zhang's terrific streak in Asia's equivalent to the Ryder Cup, winning all his six matches in two editions.

At 27, Que was the baby of the Asian team and the energetic rookie rose to the occasion, winning two out of three points in an unbeaten debut. "We finally did it! It was a tough day but we certainly held off Japan. It shows that we are also good.

"We were expecting a good fight today and I'm glad I didn't let the team down. It was important for us to open up a one point lead after yesterday's fourball. Winning this event in my debut means a lot to me. I am the youngest member of the team and it feels really good to make that putt at the last hole for my first win and also to win the Cup. I couldn't lose the match as I was one-up and Kyi Hla Han (assistant captain) told me to sink the last putt which I did," said Que, who was a late call-up to replace Korea's Charlie Wi.

After Boonchu's first strike, Asia picked up further points from Thammanoon, who beat Ryoken Kawagishi 4 & 3. Thaworn Wiratchant halved his match with Tomohiro Kondo, Amandeep Johl shared the spoils with Hiroyuki Fujita, Prayad beat Katsumasa Miyamoto 4 & 2 and another debutant Mo Joong-kyung earned a half point with Takashi Kamiyama.

It was left to Mamat, who qualified for the British Open last week, to earn Asia their 12th point, which was the mark needed to retain the trophy. The Singaporean number one was three down after the first three holes but fought back like a true warrior to secure a 3 & 1 victory over Toru Suzuki.

Mamat said: "It feels great to represent Asia for the first time and win the Cup. This is an unbelievable feeling. This win passes the message to Japan that Asia have top players and that we are doing well. Mentally, I was strong today. I was three down and that was an unbelievable start for Suzuki. I kept going as I knew he wasn't going to make birdies all the time. I knew I could make birdies as well. I just told myself to not give up."

The 48-year-old Boonchu proved that old is gold with a composed performance that frustrated young gun Taniguchi. The Thai, a five time winner on the Asian Tour, said he kept telling himself that he could not lose the opening tie and put his team under pressure. "When I saw the draw yesterday and knew that I was first out, I just said to myself that I couldn't afford to lose my match. I didn't want to let my teammates down and I'm glad that I won. This is a great experience for me. I enjoyed being in the team. Winning this event ranks high up in my career. There was a lot of pressure out there, the most that I've encountered," said Boonchu.

Aoki was disappointed to be on the losing side again. "This time, it was a little better than the first time. I am frustrated but the players are feeling it more than I. Obviously the Asian team was better. My players have to get used to condition of the course more. This is difficult golf course especially on the putting greens," said the Japanese golf legend.

Maruyama was also deflated, especially when he did not win a match from three outings. "Our team is not used to playing such difficult condition. But Asia played so well, they knew the distances, the lines and they knew how to play on this course. When you play "away" everything can be against you. We were like an army that was defeated badly at no man's land. Unfortunately I did not win. I tried hard but Zhang played well. I came here for Asian golf and I might not be on top of the world ranking or will be chosen by the captain the next time, but I like to beat Asia in the future."

Final Score: Asia 14 ½ Japan 9 ½

Singles Results (Asian Team first, Asia won 8-4)
Boonchu Ruangkit bt Takuya Taniguchi 2 & 1
Thaworn Wiratchant vs Tomohiro Kondo All Square
Amandeep Johl vs Hiroyuki Fujita All Square
Mo Joong-kyung vs Takashi Kamiyama All Square
Angelo Que bt Hideki Kase 1 hole
Thammanoon Srirot bt Ryoken Kawagishi 4 & 3
Mardan Mamat bt Toru Suzuki 3 & 1
Prayad Marksaeng bt Katsumasa Miyamoto 4 & 2
Thongchai Jaidee vs Tetsuji Hiratsuka All Square
Liang Wen-chong lost to Keiichiro Fukabori 1 hole
Jyoti Randhawa lost to Shingo Katayama 1 hole
Zhang Lian-wei bt Shigeki Maruyama 3 & 2

April 17, 2005