Lahiri confident of Asia’s chances in EurAsia Cup

Over the years, there have been a few team events involving Asia – among the first was against Japan as the Dynasty Cup and then came the Royal Trophy against Europe. But none captured the imagination of the fans like the first EurAsia Cup at the Glenmarie Golf and Country Club in Malaysia two years ago.

The event began with Europe seeming to steamroller over Asia but then came the thrilling final day and the result was nerve-tingling 10-10 tie. Now, it is time for the second edition with one of Asia’s legends, Jeev Milkha Singh taking over the mantle of non-playing leadership and one of Europe’s Ryder Cup legends, Darren Clarke doing the similar duty for Europe. With the last couple of years having seen a dramatic rise in Asian growth – this current Team Asia has six players in Top-60 – and a manifold increase of top European titles coming the way of Asian players, the competition will be keenly contested.

Europe for its part has 10 players in Top-60, meaning a whopping 16 of the 24 players in the competition figure in the elite group of world ranked golfers.

Anirban Lahiri, who on Tuesday said that the first EurAsia Cup was in some ways where he ‘started’ out on his road to success, said, “I think the first really good sign is that Europe has sent a much stronger team. So what does that tell you? (Two years ago) They thought they would send a B Street team and roll over us and that didn’t happen. That raised a lot of eyebrows.