Darren Clarke had to do little more than ensure his team turned up on time as Europe ran out easy winners of the second EURASIA CUP, which was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Darren Clarke’s men sealed the win with eight of Sunday’s singles matches still out on course, when Yorkshire’s Danny Willett scored Europe’s fourth point of the day, after Ian Poulter, Andy Sullivan and Lee Westwood had set the ball rolling.
The visitors went on to record a comprehensive 18½-5½ win as they lifted the trophy for the first time after the inaugural event ended in a 10-10 tie two years ago.
Willett bounced back from going two down against Byeong-hun An after seven holes by winning four of the next five holes to lead by two. A birdie at the 15th saw Willett go three up, before An pegged him back with a birdie of his own at the next. But Willett sent his tee shot at the short 17th onto the green, and with An unable to card a birdie, the Yorkshireman sealed victory for Europe.
For the third consecutive day, Ryder Cup star Poulter put Europe’s first point on the board after beating Danny Chia 4&3.
Sullivan then completed his 4&3 victory over Thongchai Jaidee, before Westwood raced to an impressive 7&6 win against Nicholas Fung. After Willett had seen off the challenge of An, Matt Fitzpatrick increased Europe’s advantage by beating Kiradech Aphibarnrat by two holes.
The hosts rallied and boosted their points tally thanks to victories for K.T Kim and Anirban Lahiri over Bernd Wiesberger and Shane Lowry respectively.
Kristoffer Broberg was the next European to put a point on the board, beating Shingo Katayama 5&4 in match ten.
Jeung Hun Wang held his nerve to roll in his birdie putt at the 18th and ensure that his match with Ross Fisher ended all square, but there was more success to come for Europe. Chris Wood edged out SSP Chawrasia at the 18th to win by one hole and Søren Kjeldsen knocked in his eight-foot putt at the 16th to beat Prayad Marksaeng 3&2 before Victor Dubuisson beat Wu Ashun by one hole to complete Europe’s win.
Clarke, who will be hoping for a similar performance from the European squad in Hazeltine in September against the US, was delighted with what he saw from his players in Malaysia. He said: “The team have played fantastically well this week, and there have been a lot of positives. I’ve learnt a few things, and hopefully I’ll do a better job come September. But if the players don’t play and don’t perform, you can be the best captain in the world and you’re not going to win.
Westwood and Poulter were both captain’s pick for the team, and were two of three players to deliver a point on all three days of the tournament, along with fellow Englishman Sullivan.
Westwood said: “I think everybody has played well and obviously contributed. That’s why the scoreline has ended up as it is. I hit the ball pretty well this week and obviously won three points, so it’s nice to contribute. There’s young lads on this team and ones that are going to be playing in The Ryder Cup obviously later on in the year. This is going to be a great experience for them, just feeding them into team golf gradually. And I’m sure they will benefit from this week. Nothing but positives to come out.”