The opening day of the EurAsia Cup sees the 24 men in action paired up in six fourball matches where both players in each pairing plays their own ball with the best score of the quartet winning the hole.
This is a very tactical format of golf and wayward shots in this sphere can prove problematic. The best fourball pairings keep the ball in play and line up two birdie putts on each hole and keep the pressure on their opponents.
The draw has been made and there are some great games among the six matches which have been scheduled. It must be said that the first two matches look absolute pearlers especially the second one which sees Danny Willett and Matt Fitzpatrick taking on Byeong-Hun An and Thongchai Jaidee.
Ian Poulter and Bernd Wiesberger take on Anirban Lahiri and Jeunghun Wang in a great way to begin the day. I’d probably give Europe the edge there but with not much conviction. I can’t call the other match.
Game three sees Victor Dubuisson and Soren Kjeldsen taking on the home duo of Danny Chia and Nicholas Fung. The European pair should be victors in that match but there is something nagging at me that this is a possible banana skin which puts me off getting involved in the match. Luckily having backed Dubuisson I’ve an interest anyway in the hope they avoid the danger.
Ross Fisher and Kristoffer Broberg are an interesting pairing put out by Darren Clarke. They’ll either be full of birdies or will really struggle but the fact Broberg has played plenty on the Asian Tour in the past should help and Fisher’s record in not too far away China is pretty good.
They go up against the Thai star Prayad Marksaeng and K-T Kim and if there is any waywardness in the European pairing the Asians will rarely leave the fairway and will be in position to take advantage. I’m not sure how this one will go. I’ve a feeling for Asia here but not enough to back them.
Shane Lowry and Andy Sullivan pair up for Europe in the penultimate match and they are odds on to beat Shingo Katayama and Ashun Wu. I would expect that pair to win but I’m not sure there is any value in the game especially with neither having had mountains of success in Asia in the past.
I am getting involved in the final match of the day though. Lee Westwood has a good record in Asia and he’ll be expected to use his experience and guide Wood around but I think they are there to be beaten by two seasoned Asian professionals.
Kiradech Aphibarnrat has good memories of Malaysia having won his first European Tour title there and he should be suitably backed up by the short game wizardry of SSP Chawrasia.
As long as Chawrasia drives the ball well the Thai will be able to go on all out attack which could be perfect in this format and at the prices I’m going to take them to beat a Westwood who hasn’t been at his best for a long while and a Wood who can blow hot and cold.
Back K.Aphibarnrat & SSP Chawrasia to beat L.Westwood & C.Wood for a 4/10 stake at 2.75 with Sportingbet
