Clarke delighted with EurAsia success

Darren Clarke has revealed his delight after Europe secured an 18½-5½ victory over Asia to claim glory in the EurAsia Cup on Sunday.

The Europeans went into the final day’s play with a convincing 9-3 lead in Kuala Lumpur and they never looked in danger of losing their advantage as they claimed their first-ever victory in the competition.

Europe won nine of the 12 singles matches, with Englishman Danny Willett securing the decisive victory with eight head-to-heads still taking place, and Clarke was quick to praise his team for the quality they showed throughout the week at the Glenmarie Golf and Country Club.

He said: “If your players don’t play and don’t perform then you can be the best captain in the whole world and you’re not going to win, so the credit doesn’t belong to me, it belongs to the players. The quality of the golf they have played this week has been brilliant.”

Veteran Lee Westwood produced the performance of the day as he defeated Nicholas Fung 7&6 in his singles match and Clarke was particularly delighted with the contribution of the Englishman and his fellow experienced team-mate Ian Poulter.

He added: “What Lee and Poults have brought to the team room has been priceless. All of the young kids have listened to them, they’ve all learnt from them and I think it’s been a hugely beneficial week.”

Clarke, who will also captain Europe in this year’s Ryder Cup at Hazeltine, will be hoping to replicate his success when his side take on America in that competition in the autumn.