Easy EurAsia triumph for Europe
Print Edition
Europe dominated yesterday’s singles matches 9-1/2 to 2-1/2 to comfortably win the EurAsia Cup.
The second edition of the trans-continental team event ended with a lopsided 18-1/2 to 5-1/2 score in favor of the visitors at Glenmarie Golf and Country Club outside Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia.
The inaugural event in 2014 ended in a tie after Asia staged a big comeback on the final day, but there were no such heroics from the home team this time around. Europe began the day with a 9-3 lead after taking 4 1/2 points in both Friday’s fourball and Saturday’s foursome sessions, and the 12-man team showed no mercy in the singles as well.
England’s Ian Poulter beat local veteran Danny Chia 4&3 in the opening singles to set the pattern of the day and dampen any expectations of an Asia rally.
Poulter and Lee Westwood were the two captain’s picks by Darren Clarke, and both justified their selection by winning all three of their matches over the course of the weekend. So did another Englishman in Andy Sullivan.
Ireland’s Matthew Fitzpatrick, the youngest member of the Europe team at 21, sealed the trophy when he beat Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat 2 up.
“The scoreboard was flattering, but these boys played some sensational golf throughout the tournament,” Clarke said. “They bonded as a team and as pairings, and as a captain I couldn’t have asked for more from them. These were some of the best players in the world who wanted to be here and they showed it.”
India’s Anirban Lahiri and South Korea’s Kim Kyung-tae were the only Asia players to win their singles matches — beating Ireland’s Shane Lowry and Austrian Bernd Wiesberger, respectively, — on a disappointing final day for the expectant hosts.
“This is a great learning curve for this young team, and we will return stronger,” said captain Jeev Milkha Singh.
Malaysia Prime Minister Najib Razak confirmed the tournament will return to the country for a third edition in 2018.
Clarke, the British Open champion in 2011, will lead Europe’s bid for a fourth consecutive Ryder Cup triumph over the United States at Hazeltine starting in September.
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