GOLF - ROYAL TROPHY: Asia held off a final day singles resurgence from Europe to lift The Royal Trophy for the first time with a 10-6 triumph at Amata Spring Country Club, Bangkok today. After establishing a five-point advantage after the first two days of the Ryder Cup-style matchplay event, Asia required just two points from the eight singles duels.
Prayad Marksaeng defeated Pablo Larrazabal 5 and 4 after Paul Lawrie had claimed a 3 and 2 triumph over Liang Wen-chong before Toru Taniguchi sank the winning putt as he romped to a 7 and 6 record success over Niclas Fasth.
European captain Jose Maria Olazabal - deputising for close friend and victorious 2006 and 2007 skipper Seve Ballesteros, who is recovering from surgery on a brain tumour - had hoped for a special performance from his team but Asia prevailed.
Paul Lawrie won the day's second match but woeful performances from Larrazabal and Fasth, playing in the fourth and seventh matches respectively, helped Asia to an unassailable lead.
Nick Dougherty, Oliver Wilson and Johan Edfors recorded their first points of the week, but their wins were ultimately in vain as Asia emerged victorious.
In the bottom match Paul McGinley was comprehensively beaten 5 and 4 by Thongchai Jaidee.
Olazabal congratulated Joe Ozaki's Asian team for their triumph before hinting Ballesteros would return to reclaim the trophy in 2010.
"My last words are for Seve," said the Spaniard as he addressed his eight-man
team.
"He is recovering from some health issues, but even though I'm the captain this year, I might not be the captain next year - and I can assure you he is going to be tougher than I was."
The 42-year-old promised Europe would learn from the loss.
"I want to thank my players for trying hard this week," he added. "We lost, it hurts but that will make us better in the future."
Today's singles results
Overall:
Asia 10-6 Europe
(Asia names first)
Ryo Ishikawa halved with Soren Hansen
Liang Wenchong lost to Paul Lawrie 3 and 2
Charlie Wi lost to Nick Dougherty 1 up
Prayad Marksaeng beat Pablo Larrazabal 5 and 4
Hideto Tanihara lost to Oliver Wilson 3 and 2
S.K. Ho lost to Johan Edfors 5 and 4
Toru Taniguchi beat Niclas Fasth 7 and 6
Thongchai Jaidee beat
Paul McGinley5 and 4
