Graeme McDowell admitted the European team were made to sweat by a final-day fightback from Asia in the Royal Trophy in Bangkok.
Europe won the inaugural competition 9-7 after leading 6-2 following yesterday's foursome and fourball matches. Warned beforehand by captain Seve Ballesteros that he would not tolerate over-confidence, the visitors did their best to make a seemingly one-sided contest competitive again in today's singles.
Needing just two and a half points for victory, Europe lost five of the eight singles matches as Asia seized the initiative at a hot but blustery Amata Spring Country Club.
Ultimately, though, Europe's good work yesterday could not be undone as first Paul McGinley, then McDowell and finally Henrik Stenson ensured the team stumbled across the finishing line.
McDowell, who at one stage dropped from three up to all square against India's Jyoti Randhawa, underlined how fine the Europeans had cut it.
"I spoke to Seve as I came off the ninth and I had just lost two holes on the bounce to go back to one up," he said. "Seve said things weren't looking too great on the golf course. I realised my match would be important and every point we put on the board was going to be big but I didn't realise how close it was going to be in the end.
"We have a strong team but they came out strong, and thankfully we came through. In the end, we gave them too much to do today."
After McGinley and McDowell had won, it was Stenson who ensured victory after his opponent, local hero Thongchai Jaidee, bogeyed the 13th to guarantee the Swede could halve his match at worst.
The 29-year-old said: "Playing Jaidee was always going to be a tough match and I am pleased with the way I played.
"I turned it around on the 11th, 12th and 13th and won three straight holes there so it was done and dusted with five holes to go. "That certainly took some of the pressure off."
Ballesteros was relieved and delighted to have led his side to victory, completing the hat-trick of Ryder Cup, Seve Trophy and now Royal Trophy wins as captain he had sought at the start of the weekend.
PA