Portmarnock's Noel Fox knocked in a tricky, downhill four-footer on the final green at the Roma Acquasanta Club in Rome yesterday which could prove to be one of the most significant moments of Europe's battle with Asia Pacific for the Bonallack Trophy.
Europe, having led 6-4 after the first day, were pegged back to be just one point in front going into yesterday's afternoon foursomes, and then when they trailed in all five in the mid point of the session, they appeared to be in the deepest of trouble.
But Fox (30), and Scotland's former European championship silver medallist Stuart Wilson, playing at number three, provided the spark that led to a late afternoon revival to ensure that the teams are locked together at 10 matches each going into today's final 12 singles.
Fox and Wilson (26) appeared to be heading for a hiding when they were three down with eight to play to Australian James Nitties and Mathew Holten from New Zealand. But they then performed like men inspired, winning three holes in a row from the 13th to square the match before falling behind again on the 16th, only to win the last two in spectacular fashion. The l8th was thanks to a splendid wedge shot by Wilson and that putt by Fox.
With the first point of the afternoon in the bag, the two pairs behind, both trailing, found some inner resolve to produce amazing finishes.
Ireland's European individual champion Brian McElhinney and Wales' Walker Cup hero Nigel Edwards were three down with seven to play to Ben Leong and Shiv Kapur and they pulled it back. Coming to the last one down, McElhinney rifled in a superb wedge to within six feet of the flag to salvage a half.
And in the bottom game, Italy's Molinari brothers, Eduardo and Francesco, won the last two holes to halve with Shahid Khan and Juvic Pagunsan.
EUROPEAN CHALLENGE TOUR: Birr's Justin Kehoe fired a three-under-par 67 in yesterday's first round of the Sharm El Sheikh Challenge in Egypt to lie three shots behind the leader, Craig Miller of Scotland.
Stephen Browne and Colm Moriarty were a shot further back, while Michael Hoey handed in a 69.
