Jamie Troughton/dscribe.co.nz
Thomas during last year’s Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship at Royal Wellington G.C. in the New Zealand capital.

By Kent Gray
To Rayhan Thomas’ glittering amateur golf CV, add Bonallack Trophy winner.

The 18-year-old Indian contributed one from a possible three points as his Asia-Pacific team edged Europe 16.5-15.5 in a thrilling finish to the Ryder Cup-style matches at Doha Golf Club in Qatar. It was Asia-Pacific’s first win since 2004.

Europe went into Saturday’s 12-singles matches with a 11-9 advantage but Asia Pacific won the final day 7.5 to 4.5 to sneak home, reportedly on the last hole of the last match.

Sadly for Dubai-based Thomas, he couldn’t contribute on Saturday, beaten 1up by Norwegian Kristoffer Reitan. The Dubai Creek member’s sole point came in Friday’s foursomes when he combined with Gregory Foos to pip Finns Sami Valimaki and Matias Honkala 1up.

Thomas’ friendly MENA Tour rival Todd Clements contributed 2.5 points from a possible five for the Europeans, the English 21-year-old winning his singles match 3&2 over Japan’s Takumi Kanaya on Saturday.

The prestigious event is named in honour of Sir Michael Bonallack, one of Great Britain and Ireland’s (GB&I) greatest ever amateur golfers and former Secretary of The Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews (1984-99).