The best golfers from Europe and Asia meet once again in Kuala Lumpur for the third EurAsia Cup this week. Glenmarie Golf and Country Club plays host once again and presents players with a lush, strategic layout that lends to some excitement in the match play format.
In the previous two editions of the event, 40 of the 44 matches have finished over the last four holes. With that in mind, we decided to profile the finish at Glenmarie to see what challenges players face as they try and earn their team a point.
15th hole
At 410 yards, the 15th hole is one of the shorter par fours on the course, with a generous landing zone for a left-to-right tee shot and a straight-forward approach to a large green. In 2014, this hole was the most birdied par four with one in three players making a three. With a wide fairway, the emphasis lies heavily on being accurate with the player’s approach shot from 110 to 140 yards.
16th hole
The 16th hole is the longest hole on the course, stretching up to 570 yards. The majority of the hole plays straight down a tightly tree-lined fairway before bending to the right 100 yards before the green. Very few players will have the opportunity to take on the green in two meaning most will have to navigate away from the three bunkers on the corner of the dog-leg just short of the green. In 2014, only 33 per cent of matches halved this hole, the lowest margin of any hole on the course. Clearly there is an element of risk and reward both off the tee and the second shot.
17th hole
The penultimate hole measures just over 200 yards but will play shorter as the tee shot travels around 20 feet downhill. The green is very well guarded by four deep bunkers and requires a precise mid-to-long iron shot. In 2014, the 17th played as the second most difficult hole on the course with only 15 per cent of players making a two. Make a three and there’s a good chance you won’t lose the hole here.
18th hole
The closing hole at Glenmarie plays uphill back towards the clubhouse and hotel. At 411 yards players will have the option of being aggressive with a driver or playing safe with a fairway wood. Much might depend on the state of the match. The second shot plays to a narrow green with six bunkers awaiting an errant iron shot. In the two previous editions of the EurAsia Cup, 16 matches have been decided on the final hole. Find the green and you’ll have a good birdie chance. Miss it, and you may not enjoy the handshake that follows.
