Team Asia captain Thongchai Jaidee has vowed to launch an all-out attack against Team Europe in Thursday’s starting inaugural EurAsia Cup in Malaysia.
The decorated Thai ace, who holds an unprecedented three Asian Tour Order of Merit titles, will spearhead the continent’s charge at the three-day event which has been billed as an intercontinental clash.
With his illustrious track record that also includes 13 Asian Tour titles, Thongchai has issued a battle cry for his team to show their mettle and win lift the EurAsia Cup.
European Team captain Miguel Angel Jimenez scores a narrow F1 simulator victory over rival Asian captain Thongchai Jaidee ahead of this week’s EurAsia Cup. (Photo – www.europeantour.com)
“We have a very complete team and I believe we stand a good chance of winning the trophy. It’s all about team work and there is a rich mix of youth and experience that will guide the team to victory,” said Thongchai.
The EurAsia Cup is based on a format similar to the Ryder Cup where the teams will go head-to-head in the fourball format on day one, foursomes on day two before culminating with the singles on the final day.
Thongchai acknowledged that Team Europe, led by Miguel Angel Jimenez and includes Ryder Cup stars in Graeme McDowell and Thomas Bjorn, will be a formidable side but is quietly confident his team will prevail on Saturday. The winning team must garner 10.5 points to win the first EurAsia Cup trophy.
“Europe has a very strong team. Graeme McDowell has a good track record in Match Play and Miguel, with his vast experience, is a good captain. But I know our team has what it takes to win this tournament and I’m confident,” said Thongchai.
The veteran Spaniard got one-up on Thongchai by winning an F1 simulator race at Glenmarie today but the Team Asia captain responded aptly: “Miguel got me by a few seconds on the F1 simulator. I’ll get him by a few points in the Eurasia Cup.”
Bangladesh’s Siddikur Rahman, a two-time Asian Tour winner, believes the EurAsia Cup will showcase the emergence of Asian golf and he is eager to leave his mark on the world stage.
“We’ll do our best to win the EurAsia Cup. This is the first time we’re all coming together to play as a team and I’m confident that we can win,” said Siddikur, who holds the distinction of being the first Bangladeshi to win an Asian Tour title in Brunei in 2010.
“The EurAsia Cup is a proud moment not only for me but for Bangladesh as well. We are not very well known for golf but with the emergence of this tournament and by me playing well, I know everything will change.”
Japanese star Koumei Oda, who finished third on the Japan Golf Tour money list last season, is also looking forward to ignite the intercontinental rivalry with an assured performance.
“This is a very exciting event and I’m really looking forward to playing. We’ve played a practice round together and we had a team meeting so we know more about each other’s games,” said Oda.
FORMAT – The format of play for the EurAsia Cup Will see five fourball matches being played on the first day (March 27, Thursday) followed by five foursomes matches on day two (March 28, Friday) and 10 singles matches on the final day (March 29, Saturday) at Glenmarie’s Garden course.
Story – Thanks to www.asiantour.com
