Thailand’s champion golfer has exacted revenge on Graeme McDowell in helping his Asian Tour to tie the inaugural EurAsia Cup in Kuala Lumpur.
Jaidee had lost out to McDowell in the final of the 2013 Volvo Match-Play Championship in Bulgaria but turned the table on the world’s highest ranked player competing in Malaysia with a 3 & 2 defeat over the Ryder Cup star.
And the very popular double Asian Tour No. 1 ranked Jaidee continued to display his match-play prowess after being snubbed as a ‘wildcard’ pick for last year’s Presidents Cup despite finishing the highest non-automatic qualifier but then being cruelly overlooked by two players further back in the International Team standings.
IT’S A DRAW (10-10). Team Asia had the edge during the final day of Singles matches but wins by Team Europe Captain, Miguel Angel Jimenez (ESP) and Joost Luiten (NED) secured Team Europe a hand on the trophy at the 2014 EurAsia Cup presented by DRB-Hicom, at the Glenmarie Golf & Country Club, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Picture: David Lloyd / www.golffile.ie
Jaidee led from the front by beating McDowell 3 and 2, as the home side came from 7-3 down in the Saturday singles at Glenmarie Golf & Country Club.
At one stage it looked as though Asia might pull off an incredible victory, but Joost Luiten clung on to beat Koumei Oda and Gonzalo Fernandez-Castaño held his nerve to snatch a half on the final hole.
“Every part of my team was unbelievable to come back, fantastic,” said Jaidee.
“My first time here in the EurAsia Cup, I would like to say thanks to all my team and the staff – they did a good job, and we are excited.
“Everyone played really well. I think the match is unbelievable, it was a good finish.
The fight is still on despite the Trophy being shared. Team Asia Captain, Thongchai Jaidee (THA) tries to pull the trophy from Team Europe Captain, Miguel Angel Jimenez (ESP) after the final day of Singles matches at the 2014 EurAsia Cup presented by DRB-Hicom, at the Glenmarie Golf & Country Club, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Picture: David Lloyd / www.golffile.ie
“To end on the last, and on the 18th hole, it’s fantastic. I have never seen a match like this. It’s very close and amazing.
“We had a good draw and good pairings, I think that’s the key point.”
“It’s an amazing day of golf,” said the 50 year old. “It’s been very tough.
“At the end of the week, the European Team did not win the tournament, but the Asian Team, they played very well.
“I have to say that all the players, they are playing very well and they are giving me everything they have and I have all the respect for the players I have the pleasure to be here with this week.
“As I said in the prize giving presentation, Asia, Europe, they both win, nobody loses.”
