Battling Li hands Team Asia the lead

Li Haotong of China produced a gutsy birdie on the last hole to give Team Asia an edge over Team Europe heading into the Saturday Foursomes at the EurAsia Cup.
The 22-year-old Li and Malaysia’s Nicholas Fung dramatically halved their match in the Fourball Format against Bernd Wiesberger and Rafa Cabrera Bello as Team Asia leads on 3 ½ points against Team Europe’s 2 ½ points at the Glenmarie Golf and Country Club.
Watch @haotong_li 🇨🇳 sinks this pressure putt on 18 to halve his match! #TeamAsia leads by 3 1/2 over #TeamEurope's 2 1/2 @EurAsiaCupGolf pic.twitter.com/7jRfDNFPcP
— Asian Tour (@asiantourgolf) January 12, 2018
Korea’s Sunghoon Kang and Poom Saksansin produced the biggest upset of the day when they defeated Major winner Henrik Stenson of Sweden and Frenchman Alexander Levy 5&4. Reigning Asian Tour Order of Merit champion Gavin Green of Malaysia and world number 36 Yuta Ikeda of Japan were also victorious 2&1 against Thomas Pieters and Matthew Fitzpatrick.
Hideto Tanihara of Japan and Phachara Khongwatmai of Thailand, the youngest player on Team Asia at the age of 18, also secured victory on the 18th hole when they beat Alex Noren and Paul Dunne by two holes.
After an exciting Day 1 of action from the fourball matches. #TeamAsia is one point ahead of #TeamEurope at the #EurAsiaCup pic.twitter.com/wroHeC3yZc
— Asian Tour (@asiantourgolf) January 12, 2018
The pair of Kiradech Aphibarnrat and Byeonghun An lost their match to Tommy Fleetwood and Paul Casey 4&3 while Indian duo Anirban Lahiri and S.S.P. Chawrasia were beaten by Ross Fisher and Tyrrell Hatton 5&4.
Great to get a 🔵 point today! Good fun out there with 🐠 @RossFisher #EurAsiaCup #TeamEurope 🇪🇺 pic.twitter.com/BHwPgIfJAA
— Tyrrell Hatton (@TyrrellHatton) January 12, 2018
Li and Fung were 2-up after the turn but Team Europe bounced back superbly to lead 1-up in their match when they birdied, eagled and birdied the 10th, 11th and 12th holes respectively before Li holed a 15-feet birdie on the 18th hole to snatch a late draw.
Debutants Saksansin and Kang got off to a hot start when they birdied the opening eight holes and completed a remarkable victory on the 14th hole.
Playing in front of his home crowd, Green delivered an important victory with his partner Ikeda as the Malaysian holed a 15-feet birdie putt on the par-three 17th hole to contribute a point to the team.
Latest
-
PGA Tour
It’s been a battle – Rory McIlroy delighted to pip rival Patrick Reed in Dubai
The Northern Irishman birdied the final two holes at Emirates Golf Club to card a closing 68 and finish a shot ahead of Reed on 19 under par.
-
PGA Tour
Rory McIlroy holds off rival Patrick Reed with birdie on 18 to seal Dubai win
McIlroy birdied the final two holes at Emirates Golf Club to card a closing 68 and finish 19 under par.
-
PGA Tour
Rory McIlroy leads by three in bid to win his third Dubai Desert Classic title
England’s Callum Shinkwin and Dan Bradbury are McIlroy’s closest challengers heading into the final round.
-
LPGA Tour
Golf bid to increase diversity in sport improving but still has ‘long way to go’
Nicola Bennett is an ambassador for the Golf Foundation, helping to drive grassroots campaigns.
-
PGA Tour
Richard Bland boasts share of lead at halfway stage in Dubai Desert Classic
The 49-year-old returned to complete his second round on Saturday morning, carding three more birdies and a solitary bogey in his remaining 14 holes.
-
News
On this day in 2009 – Colin Montgomerie appointed Europe’s Ryder Cup captain
The Scot made eight playing appearances in the competition.
-
News
Rory McIlroy and Patrick Reed set up potential showdown in Dubai
McIlroy and Reed found themselves a shot behind world number one amateur Ludvig Aberg and Ian Poulter.
-
PGA Tour
Rory McIlroy finishes superbly to take share of lead with rival Patrick Reed
The pre-tournament build-up had been dominated by the war of words between Reed and McIlroy.
-
PGA Tour
Patrick Reed makes impressive start after floods cause delay in Dubai
Reed was able to complete 16 holes on a truncated day at Emirates Golf Club.
-
PGA Tour
England’s Aaron Rai shares lead after first round of Farmers Insurance Open
The 27-year-old started on the more forgiving North Course of Torrey Pines.