Thailand’s Poom Saksansin aims to keep his cool amidst the excitement of the EurAsia Cup presented by DRB-HICOM, a Ryder Cup-style showdown hosted by Glenmarie Golf and Country Club from January 12 to 14, 2018.

The two-time Asian Tour champion will make his first appearance at the EurAsia Cup after earning his place as one of the four leading Asian players on the Order of Merit. He will be representing a young and dynamic Team Asia and competing against a strong Team Europe.

“I feel very proud to be representing Team Asia. I will try my best to do well at this event,” said Poom, who finished eighth on the Asian Tour Order of Merit.

The 24-year-old Thai admitted that the magnitude of the event was beginning to sink in and he will rely on his past experience to help him perform at his best. He understands that there are expectations riding high on him from all directions.

“I have played in a local match play event before but it was a long time ago when I was still an amateur. I feel nervous playing in a match play tournament now because I will have someone else as my partner. If I play bad, I am worried that it will make him look bad. I’ll focus on making as many birdies as I can,” said Poom.

Poom’s success as an amateur has laid a solid foundation for him in professional golf. A comparison of his career money, which has more than doubled from 2016 to 2017, reflects his maturity as a touring professional and his hunger to rise up the ranks.

“This has been a good season for me. I will just keep riding on this good form going into the EurAsia Cup. After the Royal Cup, I will not have any time to do anything different, so I will just adopt the same mentality when it comes to my game,” said Poom.

Compatriot Phachara Khongwatmai, Malaysia’s Gavin Green and India’s S.S.P. Chawrasia join Poom as the four leading Asian players on the Order of Merit who qualified for Team Asia.

“Phachara is playing very well now. He finished second last week (at the Indonesian Masters) and I am happy that he is in good form.”

Team Asia will consist of Malaysia’s Nicholas Fung, Japan’s Yuta Ikeda and Hideto Tanihara, China’s Li Haotong, India’s Anirban Lahiri, Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat as well as Korea’s Byeonghun An and Sunghoon Kang.

Team Europe will feature Rafa Cabrera-Bello, Paul Casey, Paul Dunne, Ross Fisher, Matthew Fitzpatrick, Tommy Fleetwood, Tyrrell Hatton, Alex Levy, Alex Noren, Thomas Pieters, Henrik Stenson and Bernd Wiesberger.

The EurAsia Cup will feature 24 matches, with day one showcasing six Fourball matches, followed by six Foursomes matches and 12 Singles matches on the third day.

Ticket sales are now open. You can purchase the EurAsia Cup presented by DRB-HICOM tickets here: https://www.ticketpro.com.my/sports/2231222-Eurasia-Cup-2018.html

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