The winning Australian Team Australia has continued its dominance of the Asia-Pacific Teams Championship, winning its fifth straight Nomura Cup after toughing out a competitive week of golf against the best players in the region at Sunrise Golf Club in Taiwan. Staring at a seven-stroke deficit after the opening day, the defending champs kept their nose to the grindstone and slowly reeled in their opposition, slashing the margin to three strokes after the second day and moving in to a share of the lead on the third. The four-man Australian team lived up to its impressive credentials and ability to succeed under pressure, carding a final day score of four-over to retain the Nomura Cup by nine strokes from Japan and 12 from Korea. Australian Coach Peter Knight said, “The boys showed great fight from the opening day and always believed they could win. There was a lot of skill on show throughout the week and I&aposm proud of the team for the way they went about the job. “It&aposs no mean feat to travel over here and play against the best golfers in the Asia-Pacific region, so we are absolutely thrilled to successfully retain the Nomura Cup.” With a typhoon brewing in the south of the island, strong winds and rain made conditions difficult for most of the event and at one stage, officials were questioning whether the final round would even be played. But the weather held off long enough for Australia to create a typhoon of their own, storming to a confident victory ahead of their Asia-Pacific neighbours. Andrew Dodt was masterful, stringing together four classy rounds to record a total of four-over and claim overall individual honours, highlighting just how tricky the conditions were. Australian Amateur Champion Rohan Blizard was second overall after posting a solid total of seven-over to cap a week to remember for the Aussies who continue to add to their respective international resumes. Leading player Andrew Dodt said, “I&aposm really happy with the way I played and it&aposs a great honour to have the best overall score, but this week was about the team and focusing on the overall task at hand. “It wasn&apost going to be easy to come over here and defend the Nomura Cup, but the boys worked really well as a team, played consistent golf all week and got the job done.” Final Standings 882 Australia 891 Japan 894 Thailand 896 Korea, Chinese Taipei 904 New Zealand 924 Philippines 937 Indonesia 942 Malaysia 944 Hong Kong, India 948 Singapore 973 Pakistan 1019 Fiji 1047 Guam 1050 UAE 1073 Iran 1246 Mongolia
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