Asia break through euro maze for title

Asia burst European golf's bubble with a stirring final-day charge on Sunday to claim victory after a thrilling sudden-death play-off in the sixth edition of Brunei's Royal Trophy.

Updated on: Dec 17, 2012, 24:45:16 IST

AFP | By HT Correspondent, Bandar Seri Begawan (Brunei)

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Asia burst European golf's bubble with a stirring final-day charge on Sunday to claim victory after a thrilling sudden-death play-off in the sixth edition of Brunei's Royal Trophy.

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 his defeat here.

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