Arjun beats the war drum ahead of testing weekend

HAVE no fear! Team Asia captain Arjun Atwal rallied the troops ahead of the EurAsia Cup opening day clash against the mighty Europeans, saying he has a team of 12 champions who will compete with no fear.

The biennial team tournament gets underway with the opening fourball sessions today with Arjun plotting to lead his side to victory over their illustrious rivals and wrest the trophy from them.

The odds are stacked against the home team with skipper Thomas Bjorn bringing the strongest European squad boasting six play- ers who are ranked inside the world’s top 20.

But Arjun is not concerned with his team’s morale and said it was not difficult to motivate them.

“They are all champions and they all know how to win. If you come into our team room, you’ll see their banners up and each and every one holding trophies.

“In golf, if you can win a tournament, it takes a lot of guts and a lot of heart, and all 12 have it.

“So I’m really just trying to inspire them but they already have it in them.”

Arjun has unleashed his best pairings to square off with Bjorn’s stars.

He lined up An Byeong-hun-Kiradech Aphirbarnrat, Yuta IkedaGavin Kyle Green, Hideto Tanihara-Phachara Khongwatmai, Kang Sunghoon-Poom Saksansin, Nicholas Fung-Li Haotong and Anirban LahiriS.S.P Chawrasia.

Byeong-hun and Kiradech, both European Tour winners, will be counted on to lead the charge for the Asians in search of a morale-boosting win in the opening fixture against Paul Casey-Tommy Fleetwood.

Byeong-hun, who delivered the team’s only win on the opening day two years ago, aims to repeat the feat.

He and Thongchai Jaidee won 3&1 against Danny Willett-Matthew Fitzpatrick at that time.

“It’s like two years ago on the first tee with Thongchai, I was definitely nervous and definitely played a big role because the first point is quite big.

“I think the same thing is going to happen this year.

“Whoever gets the first point, it will help carry the momentum to the rest of the team.

“Hopefully I’ll get the first point of the day.”