Team Asia enjoyed its best opening day performance in the history of the EurAsia Cup presented by DRB-HICOM by leading 3 ½- 2 ½  against Team Europe on Friday.
Team Asia has never led in the past two editions of the EurAsia Cup but their Fourballs performances showed the continent is ready to challenge for its first win at the Glenmarie Golf and Country Club.
Koreaâs Byeonghun An and Thailandâs Kiradech Aphibarnrat suffered a 4&3 defeat to the English pair of Tommy Fleetwood and Paul Casey in the opening match.
However, the tide was immediately turn with Malaysiaâs Gavin Green combining effectively with Japanâs Yuta Ikeda in the second match to beat Belgiumâs Thomas Pieters and Englandâs Matthew Fitzpatrick 2&1.
Thailandâs Phachara Khongwatmai and Japanâs Hideto Tanihara then landed another blow to Team Europeâs EurAsia Cup title defence by defeating Swedenâs Alex Noren and Irelandâs Paul Dunn by two holes.
The biggest upset of the day came when Koreaâs Sunghoon Kang and Thailandâs Poom Saksansin brought down Major winner Henrik Stenson and Franceâs Alexander Levy comprehensively with a 5&4 victory.
Indiaâs Anirban Lahiri and S.S.P. Chawrasia struggled against Ross Fisher and Tyrrell Hatton, losing 5&4 to the English duo.
But it was Chinaâs Li Haotong, who completed a memorable day for Asia when he sunk a 15-feet birdie putt on 18 to halve his match with Austriaâs Bernd Wiesberger and Spainâs Rafa Cabrera Bello.
Team Asian captain Arjun Atwal was thrilled with his team’s start and believes a relaxed attitude will continue to be the key to success this week.
âIâm really happy about todayâs results and how the day went especially Li Haotongâs match. That was very important for me as that half point was really a psychological boost for the team.
âThe players in my team are all champions and they know what to do to win. All I want them to do is to stay relaxed and continue to have fun tomorrow,â said Atwal.
