The Patsy Hankins Trophy will enter its final day in a tighter situation than it started. Asia-Pacific outscored Europe by one point on Friday, although the latter will carry a two-point lead into the singles in Spain.
The visitors started the morning foursomes at La Manga with a mission to get back the momentum from Europe.
Quick wins in matches 1 and 5, and another one by Rina Tatematsu and Nanako Inagaki on the final hole ensured a positive session for Asia-Pacific.
Fiona Xu and Ting-Suan Huang played brilliant golf on the back 9, but had to settle for a half with Beth Coulter and Celina Sattelkau.
The first and only full point of the session for Europe came with Sweden’s Kajsa Arwefjall and Meja Örtengren, although ultimately the visitors would close their deficit from three points to just one.
The momentum switched back to the home team in the afternoon fourballs. Two of the matches ended on the 16th green, both going Europe’s way. But the most significant outcome of the afternoon came in match number 4.
Making an eagle putt on the 18th to earn a full point, Patience Rhodes (ENG) and Beth Coulter won their match 1up after shooting an astonishing fourball score of -10.
Asia-Pacific walked out of the fourballs with two wins nonetheless. One came from Australia’s Caitlin Pierce and Maddison Hinson-Tolchard, with the latter remaining the only unbeaten player on the side.
The European teamwill need 5.5 points from Saturday’s singles matches to win the Patsy Hankins Trophy for the very first time.
