Captain Jose Maria Olazabal has urged the European team to retain the Royal Trophy against Asia this week as a pick-me-up for tournament mastermind Seve Ballesteros, who is recovering from brain surgery.

Olazabal is a great friend of golf legend Ballesteros and he agreed to take over the captaincy from his fellow Spaniard for the third edition of the Ryder Cup-style contest between Europe and Asia.

The competition, which Europe won in 2006 and 2007 under the leadership of the talismanic Ballesteros, will be played at Amata Spring Country Club on the outskirts of Bangkok from January 9-11.

“Seve picked the team before I was brought in as captain, and he told me to enjoy captaining them, but to watch out for this Asian team because it contains some very experienced players,” said Olazabal.

“And he also told me to make sure Europe won the Royal Trophy for the third time.”

Ballesteros was the driving force behind the Royal Trophy both as European captain and through the involvement of his company, Amen Corner.

The Spaniard recently started a course of chemotherapy after undergoing a series of operations to remove a cancerous tumour from his brain in what he characterised as “the hardest challenge of my life.”

Two-time Masters champion Olazabal added that it was an honour to captain the Europeans in Ballesteros’ absence. The two formed a famous partnership in the Ryder Cup with 11 wins and two halves in 15 matches.

“I will do my best to deliver a win for my great friend and Europe,” he said.

The Asian team, beaten by just two points in 2006 before suffering a nine-point hammering two years ago, will be led for the second time by Japan's Naomichi ‘Joe’ Ozaki, the winner of 35 tournaments in the region.

“I think it is fair to say that when I captained the team the first time in 2007 I was here to learn. This time I am here to win,” said Ozaki.

“In previous years Europe has enjoyed a big advantage over us because of their greater match play experience. But that is not such a big factor now.”

Ireland's Paul McGinley will be looking to maintain his remarkable record in team golf having never lost in three Ryder Cup clashes with the Americans and two previous Royal Trophy appearances.

McGinley is the only European player in the current team to have competed in in 2006 and 2007, winning five matches and halving one.

He will be joined by Oliver Wilson, who has the dubious distinction of being the only player ever to represent Europe in the Ryder Cup before winning a professional tournament, and fellow Englishman Nick Dougherty.

Scotland's Paul Lawrie, the winner of the 1999 British Open, Swedes Niclas Fasth and Johan Edfors, Soren Hansen of Denmark and young gun Pablo Larrazabal of Spain round out the team.

Asia will be led by in-form local heroes Thongchai Jaidee and Prayad Marksaeng.

Former Asian number one Thongchai won the Vietnam Masters and Cambodian Open back-to-back in December and Prayad triumphed three times on the Japan Golf Tour in 2008 to rise to a career-high 51st in the world rankings.

The duo also teamed up to finish seventh in the World Cup.

“I feel I have golfers who are in great form. The eight Asian players won 11 tournaments between them in 2008, with Thailand's Thongchai Jaidee and Prayad Marksaeng winning five of them,” said Ozaki.

“They are a very strong combination, and although I don't like to give away too many secrets about my team I think it is safe to assume you will see them playing together this week.”

Japan's teenage sensation Ryo Ishikawa, countrymen Toru Taniguchi and Hideto Tanihara, Charlie Wi and S.K. Ho of South Korea and 2007 Asian Tour Order of Merit winner Liang Wen-chong of China complete the Asian line up.

The Royal Trophy, which features foursomes, fourball and singles matches, is sanctioned by the Asian, Japan and European Tours.

Last year's event was cancelled after the death of a Thai princess plunged the nation into mourning.

AFP

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