CADIZ, Spain – Jack Doherty of Scotland shot a 3-under 69 for the clubhouse lead in the first round of the rain-interrupted NH Collection Open on Thursday.

Play was delayed by nearly three hours due to heavy rain before Doherty came through with six birdies to take a one-shot lead at La Reserva golf club.

Four players were at 2 under, and a large group of players sat at 1 under as half of the 144-player field was unable to finish the opening round of the inaugural European Tour event.

Doherty, who came through qualifying school in November on his 12th try, dealt with the windy conditions, adding “every week is big, but a big week here would be huge” for keeping his tour card.

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – Asia staged an improbable Ryder Cup-like comeback on the final day of the EurAsia Cup on Saturday, picking up seven of 10 points available in singles to level the score at 10-all and share the trophy with Europe.

Asia, trailing 7-3 going into the final day, briefly took the lead at 9 1/2-8 1/2 before Joost Luiten beat Koumei Oda 1-up to pull the Europeans level.

The final match between Asia’s Hideto Tanihara and Europe’s Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano then finished all square.

Tanihara sank an eight-foot putt to halve the 17th after Fernandez-Castano eagled the 16th to even the match.

On the 18th, Tanihara had a chance to give Asia the win but his birdie putt was a foot to the left. Fernandez-Castano then holed a three-footer to halve the hole, their match and the Cup.

“I’ve been in contention many times in tournaments and I never felt as nervous as I have today,” Fernandez-Castano said.

“It’s totally different when you play for a team, all of a sudden everything was down to my game. I’m pretty proud of the way I played the last few holes.”

It was a familiar scenario for Europe – both good and bad.

The Europeans came back from a 10-6 deficit in the 2012 Ryder Cup at Medinah, Illinois, to win by a point. But they also blew a 10-6 lead on the final day in 1999 at Brookline, outside Boston, to allow the Americans to win.

The Europeans had a strong team at Glenmarie Golf and Country Club in Kuala Lumpur despite missing some of their bigger names, such as Ian Poulter, Justin Rose, Sergio Garcia and Rory McIlroy. They’ll likely help defend the Ryder Cup against the United States at Gleneagles, Scotland, from Sept. 26-28.

Europe, which led 5-0 after the opening four-ball competition Thursday and by four points after Friday’s foursomes, only needed 3 1/2 points Saturday to clinch the trophy.

But Team Asia won six of the singles matches and halved two others in its comeback.

Asia captain Thongchai Jaidee beat Graeme McDowell 3 and 2 in his match, joining Kiradech Aphibarnrat, Kim Hyung-sung, Gaganjeet Bhullar, Anirban Lahiri and Siddikur Rahman as winners for Asia.

The comeback against a quality team from outside the continent in an elite competition should give golf a further boost in the region, where the sport is rapidly growing in popularity.

“The team played fantastic … in the meeting, I told the boys to push to the limit, try everything they could and stay positive,” Thongchai said. “We have got a very good result in the end.”

Europe captain Miguel Angel Jimenez defeated Nicholas Fung 1 up to give his side one of its only two wins on the day. Luiten’s victory was the other.

Europe’s Jamie Donaldson was 4-up after nine holes against Prayad Marksaeng, but had to settle for a draw.

The 50-year-old Jimenez complimented the Asian side on their play.

“It was an amazing day of golf, Asia, Europe they both win, nobody loses,” he said. “It’s been very tough … the Asian team, they played very well with six wins today and that showed that golf is very, very healthy all over their players.

“My players, they have given me everything and I have all the respect for them.”

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – Asia had two wins and two halves in the five foursomes matches at the EurAsia Cup on Friday, with Europe needing a late rally in the other match to hold a 7-3 lead after two days at Glenmarie Golf and Country Club.

Prayad Marksaeng of Thailand and South Korea’s Kim Hyung-sung had a 4 and 3 win over the Danish pair of Thomas Bjorn and Thorjorn Olesen in the first result of the day. Then Anirban Lahiri and Siddikur Rahman closed out a 1-up victory over Joost Luiten and Victor Dubuisson after Asia led 2-up with two to play.

Europe, which led 5-0 after winning all fourball matches Thursday, then gained two halves before Graeme McDowell and Jamie Donaldson combined to give the visitors their only full point of day two.

McDowell and Donaldson, 1-down with three to play, rallied for a 2 and 1 win over Gaganjeet Bhullar and Nicholas Fung.

“It wasn’t really anything to do with complacency on the European side,” McDowell said of the turnaround on day two. “I think it was a lot to do with the fact that the Asian team came out and played very well today.”

The teams will play 10 singles matches Saturday, when Europe will need just 3.5 points to clinch the first trophy in the Ryder Cup-style event.

Asia could have been in a much better position had the Thai pair of Thongchai Jaidee and Kiradech Aphibarnrat maintained their 1-up lead at the 18th in their second consecutive match against Miguel Angel Jimenez and Pablo Larrazabal.

And the Japanese pairing of Koumei Oda and Hideto Tanihara also let their advantage slip to be all square with Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano and Stephen Gallacher. Oda and Tahihara were 3 down, took the lead, then had to be content with a half-point.

“We have a lot of confidence coming back tomorrow. Things got better today after the captain worked so hard to change the partnering in the team,” Aphibarnrat said. “We almost had five points today but we still managed to get three. So I still think if we can get couple of points from first few matches tomorrow, we can turn things around.”

Donaldson said it was crucial that he and McDowell held on to ensure Europe maintain a buffer.

“At one point, I looked up at the board and it was all red,” he said, “so it was very important to turn that game around after being down early.”

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – Miguel Angel Jimenez and fellow Spaniard Pablo Larrazabal beat Asia captain Thongchai Jaidee and Kiradech Aphibarnrat 2 and 1 Thursday to set Europe on course for a commanding 5-0 lead on the opening day of the first EurAsia Cup.

In other fourballs competition, Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano and Stephen Gallacher beat India’s Gaganjeet Bhullar and Anirban Lahiri 4 and 3 before Victor Dubuison and Joost Luiten, who came close to hitting an albatross at the 11th, made it 3-0 in by defeating Prayad Marksaeng and Siddikur Rahan 3 and 2.

Denmark’s Thomas Bjorn and Thorbjorn Olesen had a 2-up win over the Japanese pair of Koumei Oda and Hideto Tanihara and Europe completed a clean sweep when Graeme McDowell and Jamie Donaldson recovered from being 3-down to beat Kim Hyung-sung and Nicholas Fung of South Korea 3 and 1.

The EurAsia Cup format is similar to the Ryder Cup, with the teams playing foursomes, or alternate shot, on Friday and concluding with singles on Saturday.

Europe captain Jimenez said he’ll proceed with the same European pairings on Friday.

“Yeah, can’t get anything better than that really. I started with my match with Pablo and played good today and I don’t think there is a better way to lead a team,” Jimenez said.

Jimenez had two eagles and three birdies in the better ball format.

“I don’t think anybody scored lower than me today so I was delighted with how I played personally but it was also really satisfying to see all of the boys playing so well.”

Donaldson, who leads the Race to Dubai standings on the European Tour, warned against complacency.

“We have always said during practice that we simply can’t underestimate our opponents. We are playing in Malaysia, it’s so hot and the courses favor them,” the Welshman said.

Thongchai said a comeback isn’t entirely out of the question.

“Team Europe was very strong today,” he said. “We will try again tomorrow … we are breaking all the pairings except myself (with Kiradech).”

Players and officials are wearing black ribbons and a “Wall of Condolence” has been set up on the tournament site where visitors can leave a message of support for those missing in Malaysia Airlines flight MH370.

Malaysian authorities said Wednesday it is almost certain the plane crashed in the Indian Ocean, killing all 239 people aboard.

The EurAsia Cup is sanctioned by the European Tour and the Asian Tour. It is not the first match play event pitting players from the two continents against each other. The Royal Trophy, a contest between Asia and Europe and long associated with five-time major winner Seve Ballesteros, has been played seven times in Asia.

VIRGINIA WATER, England – The bonus pool for the European Tour’s season-ending Final Series has been increased to $5 million as part of a series of changes that includes a new qualifying format.

The prize fund, up from $3.75 million, will be shared by the leading 15 players on the Race to Dubai money list competing at the World Tour Championship, the last tournament of the season.

The field will increase to the top 60 available players, rather than only those finishing inside the top 60, and players will no longer be required to play in a minimum of two of three Final Series tournaments that precede the World Tour Championship.

Changes to the FedExCup-style series were announced Monday following criticism of last year’s format from the likes of Ernie Els and Sergio Garcia.

AGADIR, Morocco – Alejandro Canizares of Spain completed a wire-to-wire victory at the Trophee Hassan II by shooting a 2-under 70 in the final round Sunday for a five-stroke win.

Leading after all four rounds, Canizares made six birdies and dropped four shots for a 19-under 269 total.

“Golf is such a special game because I came here a little depressed about my game,” Canizares told the European Tour website. “It wasn’t on. I wasn’t hitting the ball well, I wasn’t putting well. And after 10 minutes practicing with my coach and 30 minutes practicing with a putting coach, it just clicked and it just felt so natural, so easy. I felt like the golf course was easy for me.”

Andy Sullivan was second after shooting the lowest score of the day. The Englishman had 10 birdies and a bogey for a 63.

Magnus Carlsson of Sweden carded a 68 to share third place with Seve Benson of England (71) at 276.

Canizares won the Russian Open in 2006 and tied for fifth place at the Qatar Masters in January.

“It’s been a long time since the last win,” Canizares said. “It felt like it was never coming but this week I played great, some of the best golf of my career. I hit good shot after good shot and kept my focus.”

Canizares went into the final round with a six-stroke lead. He birdied the 12th hole to extend his lead to eight strokes. The Spaniard had a such a comfortable cushion that he could even afford a double bogey on the final hole.

“I was very accurate and solid with my irons,” Canizares said. “I left myself lots of chances and although I did not make all of them, the first day was the key. I putted great the first day, shot 10 under and just kept pushing on.”

Sullivan started the final round in 15th place. But he holed seven birdies on the back nine for his best result this season since a fifth-place finish at the Joburg Open in February.

AGADIR, Morocco – Alejandro Canizares of Spain extended his lead to six strokes in the third round of the Trophee Hassan II after shooting a 3-under 69 on Saturday.

Leading since the first round, Canizares made four birdies and a bogey. He’s at 17-under 199 heading into the final round.

Seve Benson of England remained in second place despite carding a 74. He holed four birdies to offset three bogeys and a triple bogey.

Robert-Jan Derksen of the Netherlands climbed to third, one stroke behind Benson, by firing a bogey-free 67.

“It was tough today, especially on the front nine. The pins were difficult to get close to and some even difficult to two-putt,” Canizares said. “My idea was to get to 20 under, that was my focus. I was trying to look forward all the time, not behind me.”

Canizares won his only European Tour title at the Russian Open in 2006. He tied for fifth at the Qatar Masters in January.

Benson dropped three shots on the 12th hole by finding a bunker off the tee before sending his recovery shot into the water.

“I struggled just to get the ball pin-high,” Benson said. “I was happy with the way I came back with five or six holes to go, so there are positives going into tomorrow.”

The 2011 winner David Horsey of England (72) shared fourth at 208 with compatriot Paul Waring (67), Shiv Kapur of India (67), Robert Karlsson (70) and Magnus Carlsson (72) of Sweden.

AGADIR, Morocco – Alejandro Canizares of Spain retained a one-stroke lead over Seve Benson of England by shooting a 4-under 68 in the second round of the Trophee Hassan II on Friday.

Overnight leader Canizares made seven birdies and three bogeys for a total of 14-under 130.

“I felt really confident so I was not thinking too much, I needed to let the golf happen,” Canizares said. “In some cases my putter was a little cold today but I kept it going on the back nine.”

Canizares won the Russian Open in 2006 and shared fifth place at the Qatar Masters in January.

Benson birdied the fifth hole to climb atop the leaderboard but surrendered the lead by dropping a shot on the eighth. He also carded a 68.

Rafa Cabrera-Bello of Spain (67) climbed to third place, five strokes off the pace.

David Horsey of England got back in contention by firing a bogey-free 64, the lowest score of the day. The 2011 winner was tied for fourth with Magnus Carlsson of Sweden (71) and Connor Arendell of the United States (71) at 136.

Arendell went through qualifying school in November to earn his card for this season. The American made the cut for the first time in five attempts.

Paul McGinley, Chris Wood, Johan Carlsson, Romain Wattel, Pablo Larrazabal and Morten Orum Madsen missed the cut set at 145.

AGADIR, Morocco – Alejandro Canizares of Spain had 11 birdies in a 10-under round of 62 to take a one-stroke lead over Seve Benson of England after the first round of the Trophee Hassan II on Thursday.

Canizares mastered the windy conditions at the Golf du Palais Royal course in Agadir for the lowest round of his European Tour career, and it would have been even better if not for a bogey on the third hole.

“It was one of those days for me, my swing felt great, I started putting well and the putts went in. It was a lot of fun, when golf is like this it’s easy,” Canizares said. “I missed a couple of drives and from the fairway I missed one shot that cost me a bogey, but that was about it.”

Benson, who was named after the late Seve Ballesteros, had nine birdies to stay two shots clear of American golfer Connor Ardenell and Sweden’s Magnus Carlsson, who were tied at 7 under.

“It was so windy out there on the back nine, but I just managed to play the tough holes well and sink some putts,” Benson said. “Capitalizing on my chances is the big thing for me. I have been working really hard with my putting coach and it paid off today.”

Arendell finished eighth at Qualifying School in November to earn his card for this season, but missed the cut in his first four events.

“It’s huge, coming over here getting that experience, the traveling; week to week the courses vary quite a bit compared to the U.S.,” Arendell said. “It’s tough, but over time it will make it that much easier when I’m in the U.S.”

CENTURION, South Africa – English golfer Ross Fisher secured his first European Tour title in four years with a three-shot victory in the Tshwane Open on Sunday.

Fisher, who started the day with a five-stroke lead, saw off a challenge from Michael Hoey that briefly cut his advantage to one shot.

Fisher responded with an eagle at the long 15th from 25 feet to see off the Northern Irishman, who finished on 17 under for a share of second place with South Africa’s Danie van Tonder. Spain’s Carlos Del Moral was a shot behind in fourth.

Fisher, who now has five European Tour titles, said “I’m just thrilled to get over the line. It was a testing day with the weather conditions and playing with Mike he put up a great challenge for me.”