Kuala Lumpur: The Asian and European Tours will mark a new milestone in their relationship when they jointly sanction the EURASIA CUP presented by DRB HICOM from March 28-20, 2014 at Glenmarie Golf & Country Club.
The biennial US$4 million team matchplay event, styled after the Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup, will pit the finest golfers from Asia and Europe over three days of exhilarating contest, which officials predict will herald the start of a new and exciting rivalry between the two powerhouse continents.
Speaking during a press conference to unveil the event on Monday, PGM chairman Tun Ahmad Sarji Abdul Hamid said: “The EurAsia Cup presented by DRB-HICOM will showcase world-class golf at its best as both continents will be represented by 10 of its finest players competing in a three-day event which will produce great drama, excitement and passion.
“Malaysia will benefit greatly from hosting The EurAsia Cup. The event will be broadcast ‘live’ to a licensed TV platform of over 670 million homes around the world. Furthermore, the staging of a world-class event will reinforce Malaysia’s capabilities to host a sporting mega-event placing our great nation firmly on the global sporting calendar.
“We are all delighted that DRB-HICOM will become the event’s presenting partner. Golf and business work hand in hand and through The EurAsia Cup, DRB-HICOM can expand its business interests while other Malaysian sponsors and partners can take the opportunity to showcase their brands and services to the world.”
DRB-HICOM Berhad’s chief operating officer – services and properties Datuk Mohamed Razeek Md Hussain said that this event marks DRB-HICOM’s foray and support in bringing a major international golfing event to Malaysian shores, coinciding with the Visit Malaysia Year 2014.
“Our involvement as the presenting partner as well as host venue is in support of the Government’s initiative to continue promoting Malaysia as a global sporting destination. We believe that The EurAsia Cup presented by DRB-HICOM will reinforce Malaysia’s ability to stage world-class sporting events and will also be another opportunity to promote Malaysia, as well as showcase and promote our world-class automotive brands, properties and services to the world.”
The make-up of the Asian team will include the leading four available Asian players from the final 2013 Asian Tour Order of Merit, the leading three available Asian players invited on the basis of their Official World Golf Ranking and three captain’s picks.
Europe will select the leading four available players from the final Race to Dubai rankings at the conclusion of the 2013 season, the leading four available players from the Official World Golf Rankings (cu-off on February 3, 2014) and two captain’s picks.
The Asian team will have at least one guaranteed wildcard start for a Malaysian professional, to be decided by the tournament’s coordinator Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM).
Asian Tour chairman Kyi Hla Han said: “The launch of The EurAsia Cup presented by DRB-HICOM is an exciting new milestone for the Asian Tour and our partners, The European Tour. It will be a fantastic event showcasing world-class golf at the highest standard as matchplay competitions always bring out great excitement and drama for golf fans and television viewers.
“On behalf of our players, I would like to express our fullest appreciation to the Government of Malaysia for its outstanding support towards The EurAsia Cup which will significantly promote this beautiful country as a premier golfing and tourism destination to the world via the extensive television broadcasts.
“The Asian Tour would also like to acknowledge the immense contribution from Tun Ahmad Sarji who has played a pivotal role in making The EurAsia Cup a reality for both the Asian Tour and The European Tour.”
Both Tours will announce the team captains in due course. The first day’s play on March 28 (Friday) will include five foursomes matches, followed by five fourball matches on March 29 (Saturday) and 10 singles matches on March 30 (Sunday).
