By Rahul Banerji
Thailand rode the vast experience of Thongchai Jaidee to a narrow victory in the third GolfSixes Cascais and become the first Asian winners of the short-format tournament in Portugal on Saturday.
Phachara Khongwatmai and Jaidee got the better of Tom Lewis and Paul Waring in a nearest to the pin second play-off hole after the teams had finished level at 1-1 at the Oitavos Dunes course.
Earlier, India placed in Group A and represented by two-time Indian Open winner S.S.P. Chawrasia and Gaganjeet Bhullar went down 1-2 to Scotland in their opening match of the two-day modified shootout.
In round two, they got the better of England 2-1 but lost again, 1-2 to Portugal. Though India finished level with the hosts on holes won, they were placed last in the group on head to head basis as both had the same HW number (4) and points (3).
Innovative stuff
The T20 cricket-style tournament played over six holes per match had a further innovation with the inclusion of two women’s teams, one each from England and Germany competing alongside the men.
With scores level, it was left to the 20-year-old Khongwatmai to hit his tee shot over a swimming pool to concession range on the eye-catching hole for the Thailand win and spark the celebrations with Jaidee.
“I’m lucky today,” Jaidee, 49, was quoted as saying on the European Tour’s website. “We played well today but I think the teamwork was very important. I’m very happy to win again. I never won in two, three years but now is a good time to win and thank you to my partner.”
Added Khongwatmai, “It was really fun and really fun to play with Thongchai for Thailand. He taught me about the format of the game and I’m really happy to have Thongchai, so happy.”
Thailand topped Group B and then beat Scotland and Spain to set up the clash with Group A toppers England, who got past Sweden and Italy in the knockout stages.
See all the GolfSixes results: SCORING
Also read: Lahiri books US Open berth with second place finish in qualifier
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