STILL LICKING their wounds from last year's Ryder Cup defeat, Europe aim to mark their return to matchplay golf by completing a hat-trick of victories in this week's Royal Trophy against Asia.
The Europeans dominated the first two editions of the contest, but Jose Maria Olazabal's side faces a stiffer test.
Captain Joe Ozaki considered quitting after Asia were trounced 12½-3½ in 2007, but he now believes his team have a genuine chance of victory.
Olazabal has retained three players from the 2007 edition, including Paul McGinley.
McGinley will be playing in his third Royal Trophy and believes this week's edition will be the toughest so far. "The last thing we will do is underestimate the Asians," he said. "If we're going to win, we'll have to play very well."
ASIA: Prayad Marksaeng (Thai), Hideto Tanihara (Jpn), Thongchai Jaidee (Thai), Ryo Ishikawa (Jpn), SK Ho (S Kor), Liang Wen-chong (Chn), Charlie Wi (S Korea), Toru Taniguchi (Jpn).
EUROPE: Paul McGinley (Ire), Paul Lawrie (Sco), Niclas Fasth (Swe), Oliver Wilson (Eng), Soren Hansen (Den), Johan Edfors (Swe), Nick Dougherty (Eng), Pablo Larrazabal (Spn).
