Press Trust of India
Shah Alam (Malaysia), Dec 15: Team Asia captain Jeev Milkha Singh announced Tuesday his 12-man line-up to face Team Europe in the EurAsia Cup next month with new Asian Tour No. 1 Anirban Lahiri, Japan’s Shingo Katayama and Thai ace Thongchai Jaidee spearheading the continent’s challenge.
Lahiri, Thongchai, India’s SSP Chawrasia and Malaysia’s Danny Chia earned their places as the leading four Asian golfers on the Asian Tour Order of Merit when qualifying concluded Sunday while Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat, Katayama and Korean duo KT Kim and new sensation Byeonghun An made it into Team Asia from the Official World Golf Ranking.
Jeev has also picked Malaysian Nicholas Fung, China’s Wu Ashun, experienced Thai Prayad Marksaeng and Korea’s Jeunghun Wang as his four captain’s selections to complete his squad who will face a Darren Clarke-led Team Europe at the Glenmarie Golf and Country Club here, January 15-17, 2016.
“I am delighted to unveil my team which comprises a great mix of in-form golfers, established names and rising stars of the game in Asia,” said Jeev in a press conference at Glenmarie.
“To underscore the strength of Team Asia, six of my team members – Thongchai, Kiradech, An, Anirban, Kim and Shingo – are ranked in the top-60 of the Official World Golf Rankings which is a fantastic reflection of the strength of the game in Asia,” Jeev added.
The last time the two teams met, the match had ended in a thrilling 10-all draw.
Team Europe will feature Danny Willet, Ross Fisher, Victor Dubuisson, Chris Wood, Andy Sullivan, Matthew Fitzpatrick, Shane Lowry, Bernd Wiesberger, Soren Kjeldsen, Kristoffer Broberg, Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood.
The winning team will share prize money of USD 3.6 million while the runners-up will share USD 1.2 million.
