There were more contrasting fortunes for the top men and women amateur golfers from Europe in both the Bonallack and Patsy Hankins Trophies as the prestigious tournaments continued in Doha.
Ireland is represented in both competitions with Lisburn’s Paula Grant the sole representative on the Patsy Hankins select while Tramore’s Robin Dawson is the only Irishman on the Bonallack team.
However it’s Dawson who’s enjoying much the better experience at Doha Golf Club from an Irish perspective as both he and partner, Marc Hammer from Germany remained unbeaten after Friday’s matches.
It was a great day all round for the men of Team Europe yesterday as they overcame a one point deficit starting the day to lead 11-9 heading into today’s singles.
Dawson’s partnership proved key to the revival. Having picked up Europe’s first point yesterday, the pair were at it again today defeating the Korean pairing of Kim and Han 2UP as Europe took the morning foursomes 3½ to 1½.
They weren’t quite as irresistible in the afternoon fourballs but maintained parity against Foo and Kim as Europe took the session 3-2 and more importantly, snatched the momentum ahead of tomorrow’s final day.
Patsky Hankins Trophy
Momentum is the key word in the women’s event too but it has all gone Asia-Pacific’s way as they proved much too good once more in another frustrating day for Team Europe at Doha Golf Club.
Lisburn’s Grant again partnered up with England’s Isobel Wardle but the pair were powerless against a sea of red. The home side’s stranglehold never let up as they took the morning foursomes 4½ to ½ as Europe did their very best to hang to their opponent’s coattails.
However the onslaught continued into the afternoon as Asia-Pacific mirrored the morning session in taking the fourballs 4½ to ½, Grant and Wardle among the pairings beaten.
The lead looks an unassailable one as Asia-Pacific head into the final day with an unprecedented 16½ to 3½ advantage.
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