Joe Ozaki's Asian team win Royal Trophy in sudden-death play-off
Joe Ozaki's team storm back on the final day to force a sudden-death play-off, with South Korean Kim Kyung-tae nailing the winning putt
Asia burst European golf's bubble with a stirring final-day charge yesterday to claim victory after a thrilling sudden-death play-off in the sixth edition of the Royal Trophy in Brunei.
Naomichi "Joe" Ozaki's Asian team defied the odds by overturning a three-point opening day deficit to force an 8-8 tie after the final round before South Korean Kim Kyung-tae delivered the knockout blow.
Kim holed a 16-foot birdie putt on the 18th green - the first extra hole - to spark scenes of jubilation among the Asian contingent at the Empire Hotel and Country Club.
"I'm so happy we made it," said non-playing Asian captain Ozaki, whose team had lost four of the five previous Royal Trophy contests.
Less than three months after masterminding his continent's Ryder Cup triumph in America, Spaniard Jose Maria Olazabal was magnanimous in defeat.
"I said all week it would go to the wire - and it did. There is no disgrace in defeat. It was a great match. Congratulations to Joe [Ozaki] and to the Asian team. They played very well."
Trailing 4-1/2-3-1/2 at the start of the final day, Asia picked up 4-1/2 points out of a possible eight from the singles to tie the overall score at 8-8 in the event that was founded by the late Seve Ballesteros in 2006.