Asia beats Japan 2nd year straight at 2005 Dynasty Cup!

[+TourSpecGolfer]

Yahoo Asia News:

SHENZHEN, China : A charged-up Asia won the Visa Dynasty Cup in convincing fashion after trouncing Japan in the 12 singles showdowns in a 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, 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 14.5 to 9.5 in Asia's favour, a 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 three and one victory over Toru Suzuki to ensure 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," said a jubilant Hsieh.

"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." ADVERTISEMENT

Thai veteran Boonchu Ruangkit gave the title holders a dream start in the top singles, playing steadily to eke out a two and one 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 three and two. 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," 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 four and three.

Thaworn Wiratchant halved his match with Tomohiro Kondo, Amandeep Johl shared the spoils with Hiroyuki Fujita, Prayad beat Katsumasa Miyamoto four and two and another debutant Mo Joong-kyung earned a half point with Takashi Kamiyama.

It was left to Mamat 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 to secure a three and one victory over Toru Suzuki.

"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," said Mamat.

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," said the Japanese golf legend.

"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."

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."

- AFP /ct

[taipanli]

Watched some of the event on TV. All too polite and crowds were not big. I also don't know what kind of coverage the recent anti-Japan riots in China has received in the west but it caused some tension and worry before the event.

Maruyama lost both foursomes and his singles. Shingo was the best Japanese player and the one who showed any degree of emotion. Don't know how many more editions of the Dynasty Cup we'll have in the future - sponsors (Visa) can't be getting too much bang for their buck.

Also seemed like quite a few Nike Ignite drivers in play for the Japanese team.

[xxio]

Way to go "Angel"! I used to play with his brother Micheal. Angel would join us every so often when he was still an AM. Tee to green it was like what is this doing still being an AM? When on/around the green it was....Oh ok now I see.

[MGB]

Heard from one of the organizers that the course was in horrible shape. They basically painted the course green. And the greens. Sandy, every one because the grass was dead or dying. Course just wasn't ready, seems like. Shigeki confirmed in his losing interview, he complained about the greens in particular.

[DemolitionMan]

When will Japan learn that the "us vs the rest of Asia" mentality serves them no good in the long run? The U.S. is already finding out they do not just show up and win, you better be solid to take on a whole continent, but at least the U.S. is what, 20x the size of Japan???

Visa should save their money.

[xxio]

The time of the Ryder Cup alone is fast coming to an end. As the talent from other countries develop they will need team events to showcase their skills. The continent of Africa alone might give one of the Ryder Cup teams a good fight. The President's Cup "rest of the world" team just doesn't have enough slots.