Asian No.1 Lahiri to spearhead EurAsia Cup challenge

Wednesday, 16 December 2015 00:11 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

AFP: Captain Jeev Milkha Singh on Tuesday unveiled a line-up featuring Asian Tour number one Anirban Lahiri of India and Thai star Thongchai Jaidee to shoulder Asia’s hopes in next month’s EurAsia Cup.

Also qualifying for the Asia team are India’s S.S.P. Chowrasia, Japan’s Shingo Katayama, Malaysia’s Danny Chia, Kiradech Aphibarnrat of Thailand, and Korean duo K.T. Kim and Byeong Hun An.

Singh named Malaysian Nicholas Fung, China’s Wu Ashun, Prayad Marksaeng of Thailand and Korean Jeung Hun Wang as his captain’s picks for the second edition of the new Ryder Cup-style matchplay event. “I believe we have assembled a very strong team capable of defeating Team Europe after the thrilling 10-10 draw in 2014. That will be our mission next month -– to win the EurAsia Cup.”

Asia will face a Europe team captained by Darren Clarke and featuring Ryder Cup veterans Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter, along with their fellow Englishman Danny Willet and France’s Victor Dubuisson.

Europe and Asia will both be trying to win the EurAsia Cup for the first time after the draw last year in the inaugural edition at Glenmarie Golf and Country Club in Malaysia.

The winning team will share prize money of $3.6 million while the runners-up will share $1.2 million.

The European side also includes Englishmen Ross Fisher, Chris Wood, Matthew Fitzpatrick and Andy Sullivan, Ireland’s Shane Lowry, Bernd Wiesberger of Austria, Denmark’s Soren Kjeldsen and Swede Kristoffer Broberg.