Asian golf has gotten stronger: Anirban Lahiri

Team Asia members on Tuesday exuded confidence ahead of this week’s EurAsia Cup clash, saying the improving calibre of the region’s golf had given them high hopes of beating Europe.

The inaugural running of the match-play team event two years ago ended in a 10-10 tie following a stirring comeback by Asia, but the squad’s players said they may go one better this time.

“There has been so much improvement, especially on the Asian side (since 2014),” said Asian Tour Order of Merit winner Anirban Lahiri of India.

“If you look at the Asian team now we have five or six people who are in the top 60 in the world, and that was not the case when we played two years back.”

“That tells you that Asian golf has kicked on and has gotten stronger over the last two years.”

The Ryder Cup-style contest at the Glenmarie Golf and Country Club in Malaysia tees off Friday with bragging rights between the European and Asian Tours at stake.

The European circuit is the larger of the two, with more of its players achieving success on the sport’s biggest stages.

A proposed merger between the two tours has sparked concerns among Asian players of becoming eclipsed by European players and tournaments.

But Team Asia members vowed to serve notice of the region’s quality this week.

Meanwhile, Lahiri said Jeev’s vast experience and knowledge of players on both sides could put pressure on Team Europe.

“I think it’s fantastic to have Jeev at the helm. He’s had a lot of experience and has played in a lot of team formats. He knows all of us.”