Asia faces seasoned Europe team in King's Cup
"Believe in yourself", was the mantra Japanese golfing legend Isao Aoki drummed into a group of young Bruneian players at a golf clinic yesterday. Perhaps he should be saying this to Asia's top golfers, who had to endure the heartbreak of losing twice in two years when things had seemed to be going in their favour.
Chokers Asia, sorely needing some self-belief, will be hoping that this is third time lucky when they tee off today against Europe in the 6th Royal Trophy, at the Jack Nicklaus-designed Empire Hotel and Country Club.
Despite the coastal surroundings and guarantee of fierce battle, this won't be a "War on the Shore" of the 1991 Ryder Cup, so named for the feuding between Paul Azinger and the ultra competitive Seve Ballesteros, one of the architects of the Royal Trophy. The Europe captain Jose Maria Olazabal and his Asia counterpart Naomichi "Joe" Ozaki are too gentlemanly to indulge in mind games and silly banter. However, there will be no shortage of pep talking and pumping adrenaline, as pride and honour are at stake here.
Europe are undeniably the world's best in matchplay, reinforced by their September success in the Ryder Cup over the Americans. Perhaps the seeds of the "Miracle of Medinah" were sown at Black Mountain Golf Club in January 2011 where Europe, down 6-2, came roaring back to wrest six matches, halve two and snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
In Medinah, the Europeans were down 10-4 after 14 matches, with two four-ball matches still on the course and 12 singles matches to be played the next day. Despite being down 10-6 going into the final day Europe came back to win by 14.5 points to 13.5. Out of the 12 points up for grabs on the final day Europe won 8.5 points with the US winning only 3.5 points.
There is no Martin Kaymer or Ian Poulter to perk up team spirit here, but Olazabal and his band of brothers Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano, Miguel Angel Jimenez, Edoardo Molinari, Marcel Siem and Henrik Stenson, though making their debut in the Cup, may yet prove a handful for a young Asian team that lacks experience but is fearless, over the next three days. Belgian bomber Nicolas Colsaerts and Francesco Molinari, who secured the final half-point to win the Ryder Cup outright by winning the 18th hole to halve his match against Tiger Woods, are there and their presence will give plenty of confidence to Olazabal. In fact, the Europeans have the blueprint of success coursing through their veins. All they need is a good start.
But if former European Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie is to be believed there is hope for Asia, who had a breakthrough victory in 2009 when Olazabal captained Europe for the first time. The Scotsman has predicted a massive geographical switch to the east by the game, and half a dozen Asian major winners in the next 10 years. If that is so, an "Asian century" is just dawning. Today, Ryo Ishikawa and Jeev Milkha Singh, the two Cup veterans, will lead the way for the debutants.
Both captains paid tribute to Ballesteros yesterday. "He was a visionary," said Olazabal. Ozaki said the Spaniard is still with the golfers in spirit. "He is a man who never gave up. He always believed in making impossible possible. He had a great vision and it is up to us to build this tournament as a legacy of Seve," he said.
The Asian captain joked that the only time his team won the trophy was when Olazabal was at the helm of Europe, and he hoped history would repeat again. "My team is very strong this year. The matches will be quite close and I expect a split," he said.
Asia: Kiradech Aphibarnrat, Bae Sang-moon, Yoshinori Fujimoto, Ryo Ishikawa, KT Kim, Jeev Milkha Singh, Wu Ashun and YE Yang.
Non playing captain: Naomichi Ozaki; Non-playing vice-captain: Liang Wen-chong.
Europe:
Jose Maria Olazabal, Nicolas Colsaerts, Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano, Miguel Angel Jimenez, Edoardo Molinari, Francesco Molinari, Marcel Siem and Henrik Stenson
Latest stories in this category
- Thai drivers ready to ROC tonight for the chance to race the..
- Four local drivers will race each other tonight..
- Asean campaign finally ignites Thai fans' passion
- Thailand reach the Championship final
We Recommend
- Opposition cries foul over ex-PM on state TV
- Group to seek probe by Ombudsman, anti-graft..
- Experts call for end to death penalty in Thailand
- Richest stockholders linked to govt, PM
Comments conditions
Users are solely responsible for their comments.We reserve the right to remove any comment and revoke posting rights for any reason withou prior notice.
Article source: http://www.thethailandlinks.com/2012/12/14/ozakis-young-guns-target-win/
0 comments:
Post a Comment