ROYAL TROPHY: Europe's elite will take on the best of Asia in a Ryder Cup-style competition in Thailand in January. Five-times major winner Seve Ballesteros will be Europe's non-playing captain for the inaugural Royal Trophy event at Bangkok's Amata Spring Country Club from January 5th to 8th.

The annual has been sanctioned by the European, Asian and Japanese tours. Six players of each team of eight will be chosen according to their tour's Order of Merit and world rankings; the remaining two places will be captains' picks. The teams will play 16 matches: foursomes, fourballs and singles.

Ballesteros hailed the new competition as a historic development. "Many of the great moments in my career have happened at the Ryder Cup," said the Spaniard. "As a player and captain these are truly unforgettable moments. I'm delighted to captain the European team in this historic first edition of the Royal Trophy. I believe it will grow into one of the world's great sporting competitions."

The first two players to qualify for Europe will be selected according to the Order of Merit on October 31st.

Asia's first two will be chosen from the world rankings on November 7th. The eligibility process will end on December 12th, the captains' picks to be announced a week later.

GRAND SLAM: World number two Vijay Singh will complete the elite four-man field for the Grand Slam of Golf. Singh, winner of four events this season but no majors, joins British Open and US Masters champion Tiger Woods, US Open winner Michael Campbell of New Zealand and PGA champion Phil Mickelson in the 36-hole event.

The Grand Slam is scheduled for November 22nd and 23rd at Poipu Bay Golf Course in Kauai, Hawaii.

The Fijian finished second on the major champions points list (273.16) and replaces South African Retief Goosen (288.83), who is unable to compete owing to scheduling conflicts.

The Grand Slam of Golf features a total purse of $1 million, with $400,000 going to the winner.