Darren Clarke could not have made it any clearer in delivering fellow Irishman Shane Lowry the most strongest suggestion he wants him as an automatic qualifier for his Ryder Cup team.
Clarke’s European EurAsia Cup team were celebrating well into the evening last night (SUN) after their 13-point demolition of the Asian Team in an 18 ½ to 5 ½ points drubbing in continuing sauna-like conditions on the Glenmarie Golf Club course in Kuala Lumpur.
The only downside on a final day when Europe won nine of the dozen matches and halved another was Lowry and both Austrian golfing giant Bernd Wiesberger losing their Singles encounters.
However, Lowry’s disappointment was minor compared to his enthusiasm now to play again under Clarke’s leadership later in September.
Team Europe celebrate at the 18th hole during Sunday’s Singles Matches of the 2016 Eurasia Cup presented by DRB-HICOM, held at the Glenmarie Golf & Country Club, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 17th January 2016.
Picture: Eoin Clarke | Golffile
All photos usage must carry mandatory copyright credit (© Golffile | Eoin Clarke)
“It’s great to be on a winning side in my first pro-team event but then I’m disappointed not to have won my three matches as I played really solid and Anirban (Lahiri) just managed to hole a few more putts than me,” said Lowry.
“It’s been one of the best weeks of my career with Darren just brilliant and everyone in the team brilliant.
“I’ve made friends now that will be friends probably the rest of my career including Kris Broberg, who I have got to known a whole lot better than before this week.
“And you don’t have to ask if this week has whet my appetite because everyone knows the answer to that question.
“I will be doing everything in my power to get myself on that team place come September.”
And Lowry, who returns home for a week before skipping the European Tour ‘Desert Swing’ for a first time in his career, has Clarke in his corner and to more than offer a friendly encouraging slap on the back.
Shane Lowry in control now heading to Hazeltine. (Photo Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ie)
“Shane was great in the team room and he then went out to display a great team partnership with Sully (Andy Sullivan) and though he was disappointed not to win all his matches but then he missed a few opportunities and that’s the nature of match-play,” said Clarke.
“But does what happened in his Singles match change my opinion of what he’s capable of say come September, clearly no it doesn’t.
“So on a personal note, I really enjoyed being up close and seeing how well Shane handled himself in the heat of team competition as he was brilliant, just brilliant.
“Of course, he was rightfully disappointed to lose his Singles match to Anirban (Lahiri).
“And while our paths are going to cross often throughout the year, I will certainly be doing a lot more than just simply encouraging Shane to qualify automatically for my Hazeltine team.
“Also looking back to the way and the manner Shane won last year’s WGC – Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone he will be rightfully confident now going to play more on the PGA Tour, and just like G Mac did a few year’s back
“So Shane’s fine and I have no worries with Shane.”
Clarke could not have been happier and following the likes of Colin Montgomerie and more recently, Paul McGinley as having captained a winning European Team ahead of facing the cauldron of European Team leadership at a Ryder Cup.
And while delighted to have won so convincingly, Clarke expressed some sorrow for Asian Team rival captain, Jeev Milka Singh.
“I feel really sorry for Jeev and his team as they just came up a red hot, a very hot European team this week,” said Clarke.
“We were 44-under par in Friday’s Four-ball and had just one bogey in the Foursome so it was going to be some to beat, to beat this European side.
“Just take a look at the guys here around me as they are pure quality and these are some of the best players in the world, never mind Europe.
“Guys want to play to represent Europe. Guys are proud to represent Europe and that’s why we are Europeans and that’s what they are all here because we want to win.”
While Lowry returns home this morning (MON) Clarke was bound for the UAE and this week’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and then will return to south-east Asia to join World No. 1 Jordan Spieth competing in the Asian Tour Singapore Open.
