Dominant Europe extend lead over Asia

European captain Darren Clarke insisted there will be no complacency on the final day of the EurAsia Cup after his team took a commanding six-point lead in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday.

Clarke’s 12-man team doubled their three-point lead from the first round by winning four of six fourball matches, with one lost and the other halved, for a 9-3 advantage in the sauna-like conditions at Glenmarie Golf and Country Club.

Clarke, who is also the current European Ryder Cup captain, could not have been more delighted with team lynchpins Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter who again won both their matches against Asian Tour rivals.

Europe now needs to secure just 3.5 of the 12 points up for grabs in Sunday’s deciding singles matches to claim the trophy after the inaugural 2014 tournament ended in a 10-10 draw.

Saturday’s second round commenced with Europe leading 4.5-1.5 over Asia.

And for the second day running Poulter set the tone, teaming up with fellow Englishman Danny Willett, to win 3&2 over Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee and An Byeong-Hun from South Korea.