Communication no issue in multi-lingual Asian team: Chawrasia

With food being their common interest and golf their common language, Team Asia players are having no trouble communicating and bonding ahead of the EurAsia Cup this weekend, says the side's Indian member SSP Chawrasia.
Chawrasia, who has completed exactly 10 years on the Asian Tour during which he has also been on the European Tour, is looking forward to his first appearance in an international team competition.
The
EurAsia Cup presented by DRB-HICOM will tee off at the Glenmarie Golf and Country Club from January 15.
He has been to Malaysia quite a few times before and is comfortable with the heat and humidity just as he is with his teammates, who come from six different countries and speak six different languages.

"There really is no problem about communication. Most speak a little English and golf is our common language," he says with a smile. "And then there is Jeev (Milkha Singh), our captain, who takes care of everything."

What about the food? "We all love food, it is our common interest," he adds.
"I love sushi and Thai food and in fact I try all kinds. When I am at home I eat a lot of Indian food, so when I am travelling I like to try new dishes."
"Jeev is taking us out for Japanese team dinner tonight. So the food and spending time together is giving us a chance to understand each other and we have practised last two days together."

As for the practice sessions, there was some indication of the pairings, as Chawrasia played with Kiradech Aphibarnrat and Anirban Lahiri played with China's Wu Ashun. It also showed that Jeev is not going to make his pairings based on nationalities.
Meeting the media alongside Chawrasia was 24-year-old Korean Beyong Hyung An, China's 20-year-old Wu Ashun and Shingo Katayama, one of Japan's most successful golfers.
Chawrasia, whose fine 2015 helped him finish fourth in Asia and earn a spot into EurAsia Cup team, said, "This is my first time in this event. I'm very excited and I'm playing very good this year (and last year). So hopefully I will be doing well this week. That's my goal."

"If I mess it up on any hole, chances are that my partner will save me. You never get that in stroke play events. I also think that if you make a double bogey in a strokeplay championship, you are almost certain not to win the tournament. In match play, you can get away making an eight on a hole and all you have lost is that one hole," Chawrasia added.
Byeong, who is a son of two-time Olympic table tennis medallist -- father Ahn Jae Hyung and mother Jiao Zhimin -- but who lives in Orlando feels proud to represent Korea and Asia.

Byeong, who has had a phenomenal year, said, "So far, it's been great. My teammates are really nice. In the team room, there are a lot of laughs, smiles, and especially Captain Jeev, he's been really nice to us. I really like it. I love the atmosphere in the team room. I'm enjoying it a lot so far, and I'm sure I will more until Sunday."
Jeunghun Wang, who has had a great year in 2015, said, "I am playing for the first time in the EurAsia Cup, first off, I'm very honoured and also very confident. I feel that there's no need to be nervous because our team is very solid this year. I'll just try to do my best."

Shingo Katayama, one of the most successful players from Japan, added, "I got here only yesterday and I am looking forward to this event. The course is tight and we need to be very accurate. As for Jeev I have known him for long, since we played together on Japan Tour."
On the European side, Lee Westwood, a senior statesman with nine Ryder Cup appearances against his name, was asked
about the responsibility he feels towards the younger members of his team.
"I think all the lads that are playing this week are great players in their own right and they really don't need much. They have played on a big stage before, maybe not so much team golf.

"But it's the same principle as anything else: You try to hit it down the middle, hit it close and then make the putt. That takes care of most forms of golf."
On the fact that he and Ian Poulter were taken as Captain's Picks, Westwood said, "I think Darren (Clarke) probably looked at his team and sees it's a young team. Not too much team golf experience in it and wanted some experience in there.
"Therefore, he's picked myself and Ian. Obviously when you're a captain's pick, you feel a little bit more pressure to perform and validate that pick.