Shah Alam, Malaysia, January 10: India’s S.S.P. Chawrasia is confident Team Asia can defy the odds when they take on Team Europe at the EurAsia Cup presented by DRB-HICOM which starts on Friday.
Playing in his second EurAsia Cup, the six-time Asian Tour winner is looking forward to the clash with 12 of Europe’s best players at the Glenmarie Golf and Country Club.
Chawrasia was part of Team Asia that suffered an 18 ½ -5 ½ defeat to Team Europe in the 2016 edition.
But that loss is a distant memory for the 39-year-old Indian and he is now optimistic of turning the corner with his other teammates.
Malaysia’s Nicholas Fung, who will be making his third appearance at the EurAsia Cup, is equally hopeful of putting a dent in Team Europe’s title defence.
The Malaysian also believes Team Asia’s push for EurAsia Cup glory will be aided by his past experience as well as the passionate crowd expected to back his continent this week.
The EurAsia Cup will feature 24 matches, with day one showcasing six Fourball matches, followed by six Foursomes matches and 12 Singles matches on the third day.
Did you know?
- This is Chawrasia’s second appearance at the EurAsia Cup. He made his debut in 2016 where he earned 1 point.
- He is the third Indian in the team alongside team captain Arjun Atwal and Anirban Lahiri to represent Team Asia in the biennial event.
- Chawrasia qualified for Team Asia through his position on the Asian Tour Order of Merit. He enjoyed a superb 2017 season highlighted by his successful title defence at the Hero Indian Open.
- He is a six-time Asian Tour winner which includes winning four tournaments sanctioned with the European Tour.
- Chawrasia’s standout year was in 2016 when he won twice at the Hero Indian Open and Resorts World Manila Masters. In that same year, he represented his country at the Olympics with Lahiri.
- Nicholas Fung is one of the experienced players on the team as he will make his third appearance in the EurAsia Cup. Only two other players are playing for the third time. They are Kiradech Aphibarnrat and Lahiri.
- Fung qualified for the team as a captain’s selection. He will be the second Malaysian to represent Team Asia alongside reigning Asian Tour number one Gavin Green.
- Fung has contributed 1 point for Team Asia in the last two editions.
- The Malaysian won his first Asian Tour title in 2017 at the Queen’s Cup in Thailand after coming close on several occasions.
Players’ Quotes
S.S.P. Chawrasia
Our team is really very strong to be honest compared to last time. We are getting used to playing a team event already because of our past experiences at the EurAsia Cup and I think we can do well. We are all good players and we are ready. The European team is strong but we are just as strong. We’re looking forward to the week. (On captain Arjun Atwal) He’s a very good friend of mine. I’m very comfortable with him because of the same language we speak and we’ve played together on many occasions, so that’s a very good thing. I think he’s a good captain for us. On a personal level, he has always helped me. I remember when I was younger, he would always come and ask me to work on my chipping and putting as everybody knows I cannot hit the ball long and my strength lies in my short game.
Nicholas Fung
I’m very pleased to represent Team Asia again this year. I’m looking very forward to the week as we’ve a strong team this year. We can give Team Europe a hard fight. We are all good friends and that’s important as it helps with all of us will constantly encourage and motivate each other. As for my game, it all coming back together and hopefully it will continue to click again this week. The Europeans hit the ball long so it’ll be good for us to keep the ball in play at all the times. We have an advantage as the greens here are totally different Europe and we have home support. These will make the difference.
