Two years ago, the heavily favored Europeans, who sent a squad that did not consist of their best players, saw their commanding lead in the EurAsia Cup slip away on the final day, when Team Asia battled back for a tie. Determined not to let that happen again, Europe sent a group of big name players and Ryder Cup veterans to the second playing of the biannual competition. 

The end result? Utter devastation.

Europe got off to a great start, taking a 4.5 to 1.5 lead after Day One. They extended that lead on Day Two, and entered the singles competition with a 9-3 lead on Asia.

Europe, however, wasn't going to take anything for granted. After all, they entered the singles competition with a 7-3 lead two years ago, which included a clean sweep on Day One. They saw the feisty Asian team fight back on the final day, winning seven matches to tie up the event.

Asia would have no such luck this time around.

Needing only three points, Europe would clinch the Cup early on Sunday when Danny Willett, playing in the second match out, closed out Byeong Hun An. Not that they needed Willett to be the hero - Europe would win nine matches and halve another, making the final margin 18.5 to 5.5. 

Captain Darren Clarke said after the matches "we are Europe – we are a team. That’s why we’re successful, because everything we do, we do together."

Clarke got a front row seat to what was essentially a tryout for many players as they look to make the Ryder Cup team later this year. Many players who were on the EurAsia Cup team have yet to secure a spot on the Ryder Cup team, so a good performance was crucial. That's the case for veteran Lee Westwood, who went 3-0 this week, including a 7&6 beat down of Nicholas Fung on Sunday.

"I hit the ball pretty well this week and obviously won three points, so it's nice to contribute," Westwood said after the matches. "There's young lads on this team and ones that are going to be playing in The Ryder Cup obviously later on in the year. This is going to be a great experience for them, just feeding them into team golf gradually. And I'm sure they will benefit from this week. Nothing but positives to come out."

Ryder Cup hero Ian Poulter had to rely on a captains pick to make the EurAsia Cup, but he made the most of it, going 3-0 in his matches. He is well back of the Ryder Cup standings, but a good performance this week may have convinced Captain Clarke to select him.

Three players on the EurAsia Cup team appear to be locks for the Ryder Cup - Andy Sullivan, who went 3-0, Matthew Fitzpatrick, who went 2-1, and Victor Dubuisson, who went 1-0-2. Other players on Team Europe and their record were as follows:

  • Danny Willett: 2-1
  • Bernd Weisberger: 2-1
  • Shane Lowry: 2-1
  • Soren Kjeldsen: 1-0-2
  • Chris Wood: 2-1
  • Ross Fisher: 2-0-1

Kristoffer Broberg: 2-1

With players such as Rory McIlroy and Henrik Stenson being locks to make the Ryder Cup team, several of these players will not make it. Captain Clarke will have several tough decisions come the fall. 

Entering 2016, many think Team USA is a heavy favorite in the Ryder Cup, despite only winning once in the last seven matches. With their newly found confidence, Team Europe may pose a much stronger threat than originally expected.