EurAsia Cup still in Europe’s hands

Team Europe lead by four points after day two of the EurAsia Cup – with Scotland’s Stephen Gallacher undefeated so far.

Europe won all five matches in the opening fourball’s, with Gallacher and his playing partner – Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano, wining 4&3 – the biggest victory of the day.

However, the foursomes in round two proved a much tougher test for the Europeans, winning only one of the five matches.

Gallacher and Castano halved their match with Japanese duo Koumei Oda and Hideto Tanihara, after the Asians recovered from three-down to fight back and deny them victory.

Team captain Miguel Angel Jimenez and fellow Spaniard Pablo Larrazabal also halved their match against Asian captain Thongchai Jaidee and Kiradech Aphibarnrat of Thailand. Jimenez had Larrazabal to thank after his partenr sank a clutch, six-foot birdie putt at the 18th, to salvage the draw.

Elsewhere Prayad Marksaeng of Thailand and Korea’s Kim Hyung-sung put Asia on the board with a commanding 4&3 win over Danes Thomas Bjørn and Thorbjørn Olesen.

India’s Anirban Lahiri holed a pressure, seven-foot par putt at the last hole as he and partner Siddikur Rahman hung on for a one-hole victory over Dutchman Joost Luiten, and Victor Dubuisson of France.

The only Europeans to muster a win were Graeme McDowell and Welshman, Jamie Donaldson. The British pairing edged out Asia’s Gaganjeet Bhullar and Nicholas Fung, for a 2&1 victory.

I told my players to make something happen – Thongchai Jaidee

Heading into the final round singles ties, European Captain, Miguel Angel Jimenez remained cautious.

“The tournament is still alive at seven-three. We are not used to this weather, and they have a good team. We’ll try to get the points as soon as possible.”

Europe need only three and a half points from the ten singles matches on Saturday to lift the first EurAsia Cup, but after today’s improved performance, Asian Captain, Thongchai is hoping for a ‘miracle in Malaysia’.

“Our team played very well today, caught up some points. Seven and a half points to win, in golf, you never know.

He continued: “We have another day. I told my players to make something happen.”

Stephen Gallacher tees off last in the singles matches, and the hopes of Team Europe may rest on his shoulders, if the Asian’s get points on the board early. It is occasion like this that will prove if the Scot can handle the big occasion, and the pressure of team golf – as he pushes for EurAsia Cup victory and a place at the Ryder Cup.

EurAsia Cup Singles Draw

8:40am: Miguel Angel JIMENEZ vs Nicholas FUNG

8.52am: Graeme MCDOWELL vs Thongchai JAIDEE

9.04am: Thomas BJORN vs Kiradech APHIBARNRAT

9.16am: Jamie DONALDSON vs Prayad MARKSAENG

9.28am: Pablo LARRAZÁBAL vs KIM Hyung-sung

9.40am: Victor DUBUISSON vs Anirban LAHIRI

9.52am: Thorbjorn OLESEN vs Gaganjeet BHULLAR

10.04am: Joost LUITEN vs Koumei ODA

10.16am: Gonzalo FDEZ-CASTANO vs Hideto TANIHARA

10.28am: Stephen GALLACHER vs SIDDIKUR Rahman

Will Team Europe win the EurAsia Cup? Or will Team Asia cause an upset? Comment below…