The two-time Asian Tour Order of Merit champion and one of the most respected figures in Asian golf, Jeev spent the morning following his players as they played a practice session together and was delighted with what he saw.
“I think we are going to be all right. Everyone has been saying Europe are favourites. But if this is the way my teammates play, I’d love to be called the underdog,” said the four-time champion on the European Tour.
“What I can definitely sense among them is determination. They are all pumped up for this week. They all desperately want to beat Europe.”
There are a few experienced campaigners in Team Asia like Thongchai Jaidee, Prayad Marksaeng, Shingo Katayama and Anirban Lahiri, but there are others like SSP Chawrasia, Wu Ashun and Danny Chia, who are playing an international team event for the first time.
Asked what are the things he has been stressing on in the team meeting, Jeev said: “These players know what has to be done. I am only trying to make sure they are as comfortable as possible on the golf course, and also off it.
We had an excellent practice session this morning. Really happy with how the team is shaping up! @EurAsiaCupGolf
— Jeev Milkha Singh (@JeevMilkhaSingh) January 13, 2016Most people feel @DarrenClarke60 and his team are stronger. I only say this - we are loving the underdog status!! @EurAsiaCupGolf
— Jeev Milkha Singh (@JeevMilkhaSingh) January 13, 2016“But after having a look at the Glenmarie course, I think I am only going to stress on one point – the premium is on finding the fairways.
“The rough is up and you are mostly catching flyers out of it. The greens here are firm, but the area in front of the green is soft because of the rains we have each day here. There is no way you can stop the ball on the green if you are not on the fairway. And you cannot pitch it short and run it up.”
Jeev said he has spent a lot of time discussing the pairings for Friday’s fourballs and Saturday’s foursomes with his players.
“I have a few ideas of my own, and then there are things that you learn while speaking to the players. I have gone over a lot of stats these past few weeks, and that gives you a fair idea of whom to put together,” said Jeev.
“I think putting together the two Malaysian players Danny Chia and Nicholas Fung makes sense. They complement each other well. But going as per their nationality is not the only thing I’d consider.
“For example, I might not put Anirban Lahiri and SSP Chawrasia together even though they are both from India. Anirban is good at mentoring youngsters. Chawrasia is making his EurAsia Cup debut, but he is a very experienced player otherwise.
“It’s the foursomes that is a bit of an issue, but only because we don’t play much golf in that format. And obviously, there are other things to consider like the different brands of balls the players play. “
Asked how important was it for Asia to do well in the tournament, Jeev said a win would definitely bring the focus on Asian golf, but there were more important things than winning.
“There is no doubt that winning would be awesome for Asia. Our players have been doing very well on the world stage these last few years and I think the general feeling is that we deserve a little bit more respect. If we beat such a strong European side, it would help towards that,” said the 44-year-old.
“But even if we do not, I hope we can put up a great fight and make it worthwhile for the our fans.”
