Lahiri, Chawrasia, Sharma to lead Indian challenge at Indian Open
Defending champion SSP Chawrasia, former champion Anirban Lahiri and twice European Tour winner and emerging talent Shubhankar Sharma will lead…
India’s SSP Chawrasia is confident Team Asia can defy the odds when they take on Team Europe at the EurAsia Cup which starts on Friday.
Playing in his second EurAsia Cup, the six-time Asian Tour winner is looking forward to the clash with 12 of Europe’s best players at the Glenmarie Golf and Country Club. Chawrasia was part of Team Asia that suffered an 18 ½ -5 ½ defeat to Team Europe in the 2016 edition.
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But that loss is a distant memory for the 39-year-old Indian and he is now optimistic of turning the corner with his other teammates.
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“Our team is really very strong to be honest compared to last time. We are getting used to playing a team event already because of our past experiences at the EurAsia Cup and I think we can do well. We are all good players and we are ready. The European team is strong but we are just as strong. We’re looking forward to the week,” said Chawrasia.
Talking about captain Arjun Atwal, the Kolkata golfer said, “He is a very good friend of mine. I’m very comfortable with him because of the same language we speak and we’ve played together on many occasions, so that’s a very good thing. I think he’s a good captain for us. On a personal level, he has always helped me. I remember when I was younger, he would always come and ask me to work on my chipping and putting as everybody knows I cannot hit the ball long and my strength lies in my short game.”
Meanwhile, Malaysia’s Nicholas Fung, who will be making his third appearance at the EurAsia Cup, is equally hopeful of putting a dent in Team Europe’s title defence.
The Malaysian also believes Team Asia’s push for EurAsia Cup glory will be aided by his past experience as well as the passionate crowd expected to back his continent this week.
The EurAsia Cup will feature 24 matches, with day one showcasing six Fourball matches, followed by six Foursomes matches and 12 Singles matches on the third day.
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