Kiwis lead Asia-Pacific team in comeback
IN: News | World Amateur Mens | Sir Michael Bonallack Trophy (2006) | Round Two | 27 Apr 2006
New Zealand golfers Mark Purser and Josh Geary helped the Asia-Pacific team to take the lead against Europe in the Sir Michael Bonallack Trophy for the first time in Auckland today.
Trailing 9-6 after the second morning of fourball against Europe, Asia Pacific staged a huge comeback to win four foursomes matches and halve another in the afternoon to take the lead for the first time by 10.5 to 9.5.
Malaysia's Ben Leong and Thailand's Anujit Hirunratanakorn claimed the first scalp when they beat Finland's Antti Ahokas and France's Julien Guerrier 4 and 3.
Asia-Pacific team captain Roger Brennand, of Wellington, said he was proud of the team and they had shown a lot of spirit.
"We didn't have the best of starts but they fought back well this afternoon. We knew we could not afford to lose ground today but I did not envisage we would go into the singles with a lead," he said.
Three of the victories and the halved match were decided with brilliant birdies on the final hole by the Asia Pacific combination.
Purser (Hamilton) and Geary (Mt Maunganui) who had beaten the top combination of England's Gary Wolstenholme and Oliver Fisher 2 up in the morning's fourball also came up against the pair in the afternoon's foursomes. The England pair eagled the 17th to take a 1-up lead heading into the final hole but an impressive birdie from the Kiwi pair saw them halve the match.
Purser and Geary were both in great form throughout the day's two rounds with precision putting and approach shots helping them to eight birdies in the morning and a further three birdies and an eagle in the afternoon.
The Sir Michael Bonallack Trophy is being staged over three days at Auckland Golf Club and features 24 of the best amateur golfers from 18 nations around the world. It concludes tomorrow with 12 singles matches starting at 10.30am (NZ Time).
Source - NZGA
