Asian win sign of things to come: Ozaki
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Asia's captain Naomichi "Joe" Ozaki may not speak English, Hindi, Korean, Chinese or Thai but his body language and infectious enthusiasm spurred his team to a glorious triumph over Europe at the Empire Hotel and Country Club on Sunday.
The Japanese had reminded his counterpart Jose Maria Olazabal on the eve of the tournament that the only time Asia won was when the Spaniard was at the helm. Perhaps he foresaw that his team would end up doing something magical even when others have given up on them.
Ozaki said he sensed a burning desire in the team not to be three-time losers, after two cruel defeats in the last two Royal Trophy matches. On Sunday, there he was beside the 18th green, doing a Gagnam-style dance, egged on by the joyful members of his team. Popular culture has no boundaries.
Ozaki believes the victory is a testament to how much the competition has raised golfing standards in Asia. “We have banished any doubts over whether we could compete on level terms with the golfers from Europe and the US,” he said.
Asia won the singles 4 ½ - 3 ½ to level the score at eight points all, and then effected the coup de grace with Korean star KT Kim’s sensational birdie in the sudden death play-off clinching victory for the team.
“I felt we might see something special from my players when we had our team meeting after the fourball to discuss how we could beat the Europeans, who are much higher in the world rankings than us.
“Despite that I could feel there was a confident atmosphere in our team room, and maybe we felt more motivated and hungry for victory than our opponents.
“Of course they wanted to win badly too – but when you have been through painful defeats like we have in the previous two matches, perhaps it strengthens your resolve. We were a very united team all week.
“And there was never any suggestion that it was something that could be beyond us against such powerful opponents.
“I would say to my players now that they must take even more strength and more confidence from the way they overcame such odds to win for their continent.
“I firmly believe the Royal Trophy has been helping to raise the standard of golf in Asia ever since it was launched six years ago.
“And our golf has now reached a point where we can expect to compete with the European and American boys on a level footing.
“I hope, and believe, this competition will continue to grow in stature and importance.”
Jeev Milkha Singh, the son of legendary Indian runner Milkha Singh, typified the team’s never-say-die attitude. He was down by one with three holes to play when he scripted a stirring comeback to claim a priceless point for Asia.
He levelled his match on the 16th hole with a long birdie putt when Miguel Angel Jimenez was closer to the hole – and repeated the feat on 17 when his 25 footer for birdie electrified the crowd.
The loudest cheer, however, was reserved for the 15 footer Kim rolled in for the birdie that earned Asia their victory.
“I honestly felt more pressure in this match than I have when I have been trying to win a big tournament. It means so much to all of us.
“I looked at the scoreboards a lot and knew I had to win my match to keep our hopes of victory alive.”
Kim was remarkably candid when he said that he felt less pressure in the play-off – when he had the reassuring presence of playing partner YE Yang alongside him – than he did in the singles match he halved with Gonzalo Fernadez-Castano.
“The beauty of team play is that you have a partner with you most of the time, and I found the singles more challenging in terms of dealing with nerves.
“And on my final putt I was fortunate that I had a similar putt on that green in my singles – in fact it was a little closer, and I could not make that one.
“But I knew which way it would break, and even though it was around 15 feet I felt quite confident over the putt. It was a wonderful feeling to see it drop in the hole.”
Asia got an improbable point from rookie Yoshinori Fujimoto of Japan. The short man rose to the occasion magnificently when the team needed points most.
He found himself three down to Marcel Siem with only seven holes to play – but a brilliant hat-trick of birdies propelled him to victory on the final green.
“Even when I was three down I said to my caddie I had to keep going because I felt I still had a chance.
“And when I made those three birdies in a row I was so pleased that I could make an important contribution for the team.
“It has been a great experience to play in these matches, and I hope I get the chance to do it again in the near future.”
Olazabal insisted that his team did not become complacent after a dominating performance in the opening foursomes matches.
“We didn’t relax at all. We are experienced, we played the Ryder Cup, we know anything can happen in matchplay. In that regard, we didn’t make that mistake. It was really down to the Asians playing better.
The Spaniard predicted a glorious future for Asian golf. “Korean guys are playing well, Japanese kids paying well with a bright future ahead of them, and Chinese players doing well. The future is very, very bright.
“This is just a start to be honest. Compared to the USA and Europe you are years behind but you are starting to produce great players. From the way I see it, we are going to see more and more young players coming from Asia doing extraordinarily well around the world,” he said.
