Mar 7, 2014

McDowell to lead European stars at the EurAsia Cup presented by DRB-HICOM

Hong Kong, December 2: Graeme McDowell, the first of four automatic qualifiers, will be among the biggest names starring for Team Europe at the inaugural EurAsia Cup presented by DRB-HICOM.

After being unveiled as European Captain at a Press Conference in Hong Kong, Miguel Angel Jiménez announced the first four automatic qualifiers for his 10-man team to face Thongchai Jaidee’s Asian Team at the Glenmarie Golf and Country Club in Kuala Lumpur from March 27-29, 2014.

McDowell will joined in Malaysia by Jamie Donaldson, Victor Dubuisson and Gonzalo Fernandez-Castaño, all four securing their places on the team thanks to their final position in the 2013 Race to Dubai.

Having holed the winning putt at the 2010 Ryder Cup and as the current Volvo World Match Play Champion, McDowell knows a thing or two about the pressures of team golf and the unique nature of match play.

The 2010 US Open Champion will be a huge presence both inside and outside the ropes for Jiménez, and he is relishing the chance to contribute to more European success.

“I am really looking forward to playing the EurAsia Cup,” said McDowell, who finished the 2013 season fourth in the Race to Dubai. “It’s a great concept to bring Asia and Europe together and I think it has a lot of potential to become a very big event.

“Everyone knows the standards in Asian golf are continually rising and I have no doubt it will be a tough job to go away from home and win.

“But if we gel as a team and get the pairings right then we will have a chance because there will be a lot of quality and experienced players in the European Team and I am sure a few of them will be looking to sharpen their match play skills with an eye on The Ryder Cup next year.”

Donaldson, Dubuisson and Fernandez-Castaño are three such players who know that a strong showing in the EurAsia Cupcould boost their Ryder Cup hopes.

“It’s great to have qualified for the team,” said Donaldson winner of the 2013 Abu Dhabi HSBC golf Champions. “I have played for Great Britain and Ireland in the last two Seve Trophies and really enjoyed those experiences so it will be interesting to now represent Europe in a team competition.

“It’s obviously a big year for team golf in Europe with the EurAsia Cupin March and then The Ryder Cup in September so I am looking forward to trying to be involved in two winning European teams.”

Dubuisson, meanwhile, is still living in dreamland after his unforgettable victory over Tiger Woods and the rest of the best at the Turkish Airlines Open in November changed the path of his career. The young Frenchman’s victory in Turkey helped him finish the year at sixth in the Race to Dubai to qualify for Jiménez’s EurAsia Cupteam.

“It’s amazing to qualify for this team,” said Dubuisson. “Winning in Turkey has changed so many things in my career and this is another benefit. It’s been a bit of a dream to be honest but hopefully I can continue to play at this level and help the team win the Cup.”

Fernandez-Castaño, winner of the BMW Masters presented by SRE Group in October, is relishing the chance to play under his old friend and compatriot Jiménez.

“It will be an honour to represent Europe and a very special week for to play under Miguel,” said Fernandez-Castaño. “Spanish players have a rich history of playing for and then captaining European teams in Seve Trophies and Ryder Cups and it is nice to be a part of that tradition.

“The EurAsia Cup is a fantastic idea and could become something very special – this could be the beginning of a very special era of team golf for Asia and Europe and it is great to be involved the first match because it will be an historic occasion.”

About DRB-HICOM Berhad
DRB-HICOM Berhad (“DRB-HICOM”) is one of Malaysia’s leading conglomerates with core businesses in the Automotive; Services; and Property, Asset & Construction sectors. With more than 80 active companies in its stable and over 52,000 employees group-wide, DRB-HICOM’s aim is to continue adding value and propelling the nation’s development. In the Automotive sector, DRB-HICOM is involved in the manufacturing, assembly and distribution of passenger and commercial vehicles, including the national motorcycle. In Services, DRB-HICOM is involved in various businesses, including concession and financial-related services. In Property, Asset & Construction, DRB-HICOM is involved in residential and commercial developments. Visit www.drb-hicom.com

About Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM)
Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) is a Company Limited by Guarantee, registered on 5th August 2010 in Malaysia. As a non-profit organisation, PGM’s objectives are to promote the sport of golf and to contribute towards its enjoyment and growth. To conduct and/or coordinate training on golf-related courses in order to enhance the playing capabilities and skills of professional golfers, as well as to promote and/or conduct a golf Tour or events as a means to hone their skills and to elevate the standards of the professional golfers in Malaysia. PGM provides a platform for Malaysia’s professional golfers to enable them to focus on playing while PGM shoulders the responsibility of arranging and financing these tournaments. To achieve these objectives, PGM organises a series of golf tournaments on an annual basis. For the year 2012, PGM hosted 20 tournaments offering RM3 million in prize money, seven of which were co-sanctioned with the Asian Development Tour. The schedule for 2013 features 22 tournaments offering prize money of over RM4 million, 10 of which are co-sanctioned with the Asian Development Tour and three with the ASEAN Tour. The expansion of the Tour on an annual basis and the increased prize money is an indicator of its vibrant growth year-on-year.

About the Asian Tour
In 2013, the Asian Tour will celebrate a momentous milestone with its 10th season. As the official sanctioning body for professional golf in Asia, the Asian Tour leads the development of golf across the region, enhancing the careers of its members while maintaining a commitment to the integrity of the game. The Asian Tour, through its membership of the International Federation of PGA Tours, is the only recognised pan-Asian professional golf tour in Asia. This unique feature positions the Asian Tour at the pinnacle of professional golf in Asia; providing its events with Official World Ranking status. Tour Partners include Abacus (Official Apparel Partner), Inetol Headwear (Official Headwear Supplier), Saxo Capital Markets (Official Statistics Partner), Singha Beer (Official Beer), Srixon (Official Ball), Subway (Official Quick Service Restaurant), Starwood Hotels and Resorts (Official Hotels and Resorts) and Rolex (Official Timekeeper). The Asian Tour has offices in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. Also, visit us at www.asiantour.com, www.facebook.com/asiantourgolf, www.twitter.com/asiantourgolf, www.youtube.com/theasiantour and www.weibo.com/asiantourgolf


About The European Tour
The European Tour is committed to celebrating the game of golf from the origins of the professional game, building a proud history of achievement, sportsmanship and integrity as well as showcasing our diverse global talent and rich landscapes. The European Tour's innovative approach enables us to embrace the world, combining championships of tradition with new tournaments in the cities and countries of the future. The European Tour International Schedule, which from 2009 has incorporated The Race to Dubai, is a thriving global brand which, in 2013, will feature a minimum of 45 tournaments spread across all five continents of the world; the European Challenge Tour focuses on the up and coming players of the future; while the European Senior Tour provides a new start for champions celebrating their 50th birthday. The European Tour’s corporate identity features the iconic silhouette image of six-time Open Champion Harry Vardon who gives his name to The Harry Vardon Trophy, presented to the player who is crowned European Tour Number One and winner of The Race to Dubai at the end of the season.

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