A NEW match-play event between Europe and Asia, the EurAsia Cup presented by DRB-HICOM, will be part of the 2014 European Tour schedule. Taking place at Glenmarie Golf and Country Club in Malaysia from March 28-30, 2014, the EurAsia Cup will see 10 of Europe's leading players take on a team from Asia in a format similar to the Ryder Cup. Europe will select the leading four players available from the final Race to Dubai rankings at the conclusion of the 2013 season, the leading four players available from the Official World Golf Ranking on Monday, February 3, 2014 and two captain's picks. The Asian team will include the leading four available players from the final 2013 Asian Tour Order of Merit, the leading three players invited on the basis of their Official World Golf Ranking and three captain's picks. The two captains will be chosen by The European Tour and the Asian Tour respectively and announced at a later date. The inaugural EurAsia Cup is one of two new events announced along with the Nedbank Golf Challenge, which takes place in Sun City from December 5-8, 2013. With a prize fund of USD6,500,000, the event will be co-sanctioned with the Sunshine Tour and feature a 30-player field instead of the usual 12.
? JUDGING by yesterday's results in the opening round of the Titleist/Footjoy PGA Southern Branch Championship, played at the East and West Courses at Powerscourt, there should be a mighty scramble for top of the leaderboard today's final round. In fair form on the West Course, yesterday, were Brian McElhinney (above) and Cian McNamara who shared an overnight lead of five-under-par 67. Best on the West was Eamon Brady who handed in a two-under-70. Foyle pro McElhinney carded a fabulous finish as he covered the last six holes in four-under-par. He birdied the par four 10th hole but gave the shot back at the short 11th. From 13, he went birdie three, par, birdie three, birdie four, par, birdie four. McNamara stormed off with a golden eagle at the long first hole but then went bogey-birdie-bogey-birdie from the fourth to the seventh holes to turn two-under-par 34. On the way home he pencilled in birdie threes at 10 and 15 and a four at the long 18th. East Course leader Brady eased over the outward trip with nine straight pars but then made a hat-trick of birdies from the 10th, going 3-3-4. He dropped a shot at the short 13th, birdied the long 17th and bogeyed the par four 18th.
? JOSEPH Glynn and Damian Mooney warmed up quite successfully for the PGA Southern Branch Championship by Topping the respective leaderboards on the East and West Courses, at Powerscourt, writes Tony McGee. Both players carded a four-under-par 68 and both had two strokes to spare over their nearest rivals, to give themselves a boost going into the Titleist/Footjoy regional championship. Runner-up on 70 from the East Course was David Ryan with David Mortimer second-best on the West. Dun Laoghaire assistant pro Glynn had cause for double celebration because he also led in the winning team, on 94 points, from Powerscourt East, while Kevin McGrath (Birr Golf Shop & DR) brought in his team from the West with a winning 89 points.
? Results PP45