Despite Lahiri’s win, Europe outplay Asia in EurAsia Cup

Anirban Lahiri ensured he did not leave empty handed as he won his singles on Sunday, but he was also disappointed as Team Asia was routed by Team Europe in the EurAsia Cup on the final day at the Glenmarie Golf and Country Club.

Lahiri’s singles win was one of the only two wins Asia snatched in a day dominated once again by Europe, who won nine singles, halved one and lost two. SSP Chawrasia, who has Asia’s only win on Day 2 lost his match on 18th to Chris Wood. Europe, who led by three points and went six ahead after Day 2, finally finished 12 and a half points for a final score of 18 and a half to five and a half to win their first EurAsia Cup – the first edition having been tied 10-10 between the two teams.

Jeev Milkha Singh, despite the loss, stood by his team and said, “They gave it all. They played their hearts out. I am proud of my team, like I’ve mentioned many times before. I believe in these players. These players worked really hard. They gave it 100 per cent out there. They came out to support each other. They gave each other advice, and also my vice captain, Liang Wen-Chong, put in a lot of effort going out in the evenings and mornings.”

He added, “As far as my team is concerned, I still believe in them, and I think we’re going to be well prepared. We learned from this. It was a good experience, and when we come back after two years, we are going to be a stronger team to do well.”

Lahiri, who did not have things going is way on first two days, finally got a point he had been striving for. Halving the first three holes, he won fourth with a par, fifth and ninth with birdies to turn in three-upand birdied the 11th but Lowry went one better with an eagle and then birdied 12th to reduce the gap to one hole. Lahiri pulled ahead again on 15th to 2-up again and stayed ahead to closed the match.