Darren Clarke totally focused on Eurasia Cup challenge

When Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood were making grand plans for 2016, it can surely be assumed that the Eurasia Cup didn't feature highly in their thoughts. And yet, the pair's involvement in Kuala Lumpur this week is just one fascinating strand of an event which has been afforded high significance by Darren Clarke.

Since his appointment as the Ryder Cup captain, Clarke has highlighted the importance of this January meeting between Europe and Asia. That much is of benefit to the event itself, which witnessed a tie upon its first playing back in 2014 after the Royal Trophy had been superseded.

Rumours continue to circulate in golfing circles that a full-blown merger between the tours of Europe and Asia could be announced in the not-so-distant future. That aside, the Eurasia Cup offers scope to showcase golf outside of the occasionally all-consuming environment of the United States.

Clarke, you sense, has had a burning desire to become immersed in a captain’s role. The notion that he will lack the attention to detail of Paul McGinley is flawed; the Northern Irishman is a perfectionist, in the past actually to the detriment of his own game. Clarke is taking the Eurasia Cup as a key step on the Ryder Cup pathway.

How he manages his team, even in what is essentially a laid-back competition, will prove fascinating. For all Europe has a template which has produced success after success at Ryder Cup level, it would only be natural for Clarke to impose his own theories and policies when in charge of players.

He will learn from what transpires in Kuala Lumpur, positive and otherwise.

“I’ve thought about this long and hard, this past while,” Clarke explained. “I’ve put a lot of work into it. So hopefully my choices are going to be proven correct, we shall see. Barring any last-minute changes, I’m pretty set on what I’m going to do.

Possible pairings

“Obviously there’s Ryder Cup stuff going on in the back of my mind with possible pairings, but first and foremost, it’s this week. We as Europe, we’re here to try and win, as Jeev Milkha Singh is, with his Asian team. The thoughts and everything I’m trying to do is towards this week.”

For the players themselves, events in Malaysia will carry weight. For all the appearance of Westwood and Poulter should prove invaluable to those without anything like a similar level of team experience, the English duo have an ongoing battle on their hands to display Ryder Cup worth.

Westwood and Poulter’s recent relative struggles mean their positions at Hazeltine in September cannot be taken for granted. Just as they know that, Clarke has given them a clear and smart nod of encouragement by turning to their tried and tested specialism for the Eurasia Cup.

In theory, away from home and against a USA gunning for revenge, Westwood and Poulter are precisely the kind of players Clarke should need. But first, he requires them to make a basic playing case for inclusion. The pair seem to have taken Eurasia Cup inclusion in appropriate, positive light with their commitment not in doubt from the moment they were approached by Clarke.

Other members of Clarke's Eurasia contingent are worthy of attention for different reasons. Shane Lowry, Andy Sullivan, Matthew Fitzpatrick, Danny Willett and Bernd Wiesberger should be eyeing Ryder Cup places. This marks an opportunity for the captain not only to see how that group play in different formats but how they interact with team-mates.

“It’s a bit of a strange one because it’s a young team but you’ve then got Westwood and Poults, who have been in Ryder Cups and have played a lot of team golf,” said Willett.

“I think Darren did that for a reason, more so to get them involved and in and around the team room to tell stories of what they have achieved and what they have done.”

In opposition, Asia have some formidable players. Kiradech Aphibarnrat, Byeong-hun An and Anirban Lahiri can hold their own in any company. Thongchai Jaidee, at 46, remains one of the toughest competitors on the European Tour. Stifling heat and humidity won’t bother them.

Tomorrow there will be six fourball matches, with day two comprising of six foursomes ties. In true Ryder Cup style, 12 singles matches will then take to the course at the Glenmarie Golf and Country Club. Guardian Service