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 near Bangkok early yesterday.
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 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.
Olazabal congratulated Joe Ozaki's Asian team for their triumph before hinting Seve 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."
Olazabal admitted he is still keen to be a Ryder Cup captain despite defeat on his debut as Europe's skipper. He would like to be a playing member of the team for the biennial showdown with the US at Celtic Manor in south Wales next year.
"I would love to be considered, I'm not going to deny that," he said. "I've never denied that being captain of the Ryder Cup is something really special, it's a privilege, but it's always been like that.
"It's always nice to be named, but if now is the right time or not, I'm not sure.
"I would love to be playing - if these guys allow me.
"I think maybe it is too soon (to be captain) but time will tell."
