Shah Alam (Malaysia) SSP Chawrasia and Anirban Lahiri were Tuesday named in the Arjun Atwal-led Team Asia for the EurAsia Cup golf tournament to be played here January 12 to 14. Also making the cut in the Team Asia was current Order of Merit leader Gavin Green, Kiradech Aphibarnrat and Li Hao-tong.
Thai teenager Phachara Khongwatmai, Poom Saksansin, Malaysia’s Green and Chawrasia make up the leading four Asian players on the Order of Merit who qualified for Team Asia. Yuta Ikeda of Japan, ranked 37th on the official world golf ranking, Li of China, Lahiri, and Kiradech of Thailand earned their spot in as the leading available Asians on the world ranking.
Korea’s Byeonghun An, who represented Team Asia in the second edition in 2016, will make his return to the team after being selected as a captain’s pick. Joining him as a captain Arjun Atwal’s wildcard pick were Hideto Tanihara of Japan and Nicholas Fung of Malaysia who will make their third appearance in the event.
Team Asia will have a combined total of 58 titles won worldwide while six players in the 12-man team are still in their 20s. Phachara is the youngest at 18 and Tanihara is the oldest at 39.
“I’m proud to announce my team which is predominantly represented by young players. Most of them are still in their 20s but they have achieved huge success at a young age and have established themselves in the game,” stated Atwal.
“Seven players in my team are ranked inside the top 100 on the official world golf ranking and this underlines the strength of Team Asia. This is a strong team and it will be our goal to win the EurAsia Cup,” he added.
Press trust of India
