Europe dominates EurAsia Cup

SHAH ALAM, Malaysia: Europe dominated Sunday's singles matches 9-1/2 to 2-1/2 to comfortably win the EurAsia Cup.The second edition of the trans-continental team event ended with a lopsided 18-1/2 to 5-1/2 score in favor of the visitors at Glenmarie Golf and Country Club.The inaugural event in 2014 ended in a tie after Asia staged a big comeback on the final day, but there were no such heroics from the home team this time.England's Ian Poulter beat local veteran Danny Chia 4-and-3 in the opening singles to set the pattern of the day and dampen any expectations of an Asia rally.Poulter and Lee Westwood were the two captain's picks by Darren Clarke, and both justified their selection by winning all three of their matches over the course of the weekend. So did another Englishman in Andy Sullivan.Ireland's Matthew Fitzpatrick, the youngest member of the Europe team at 21, sealed the trophy when he beat Thailand's Kiradech Aphibarnrat 2 up."The scoreboard was flattering, bu t these boys played some sensational golf throughout the tournament," Clarke said. "They bonded as a team and as pairings, and as a captain I couldn't have asked for more from them. These were some of the best players in the world who wanted to be here and they showed it."India's Anirban Lahiri and South Korea's Kim Kyung-tae were the only Asia players to win their singles matches — beating Ireland's Shane Lowry and Austria's Bernd Wiesberger respectively — on a disappointing final day for the expectant hosts."This is a great learning curve for this young team, and we will return stronger," said captain Jeev Milkha Singh.Malaysia Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak confirmed the tournament will return to the country for a third edition in 2018.

Porteous seals maiden European Tour winSouth African Haydn Porteous held his nerve for a bogey-free round of 69 to claim a maiden European Tour victory at the Joburg Open on Sunday.Joint overnight leader Porteous made just five bogeys all week and hit every green in regulation at the Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club during his final round, while the chasing pack behind him struggled for the same consistency.The 21-year-old finished the tournament on 18-under-par, two shots ahead of compatriot Zandersaf Lombard (71).A further shot back was group of four players, all of who looked as though they may steal the limelight on Sunday before fading — Swede Bjorn Akesson (68), England's Anthony Wall (72), Daniel Im (70) from the US and home hope Justin Walters (69).The three top-ranked players have also earned their place at he 145th British Open at Royal Troon in July — Porteous, Lombard and Wall, who qualifies ahead of the other players on 15-under-par by virtue of his world ranking.Porteous, who missed the cut at last weekend's South African Open after struggling with his game, said he played low-risk golf to keep himself ahead of the field."Words can't describe how I feel, it� �s surreal to be honest," he said at the trophy presentation."I've been battling with my golf over the last few months and a lot of sweat and tears have brought me here."

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