Asia Tops Europe to Win First Royal Trophy
Amata Springs, Bangkok (Thailand) - 11 Jan 2009 - 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, and they battle a spirited resistance from Europe to secure a first win following defeats in 2006 and 2007.
Open winner Paul Lawrie predicted "a massive future" for the Royal Trophy as he summed up his first experience of the annual shot-out between Asia and Europe.
Lawrie's performance was one of the few bright spots for a European team that slumped to a 10-6 defeat in Bangkok, their first loss in three Royal Trophy tussles.
The Scottish star, winner of the coveted Claret Jug in 1999, won two of his three matches and halved the other after forming an impressive partnership with fellow Ryder Cup player Soren Hansen of Denmark.
But he admitted finishing unbeaten was scant consolation for another painful European setback, hard on the heels of their shock Ryder Cup defeat against the USA four months earlier. He said: "Of course it's nice to play well personally, but this is a team event and I am as disappointed at losing as any of the other European players.
"We are very proud of our record in team competitions, and we need to turn things back around in our favour very quickly - which won't be easy in this competition. Now that the Asian golfers have had a taste of victory, their self belief will soar.
"But I would love to be part of the European team that tries to win the Royal Trophy back next year, because apart from the result, I loved every minute of my time here.
"I was blown away by the immaculate condition of the course, how good the practice facilities are, and just how well everything is organised. The attention to detail is very thorough, and you know as soon as you arrive here that this is a highly prestigious competition.
"I spoke to Paul McGinley, who played in the previous two matches as well as this one, about what to expect, and he told me it was a big event - I just didn't realise how big ! We had huge and very appreciative galleries, global television coverage, and two teams who were highly committed, but at the same time mindful of the spirit in which competitions of this kind should be played.
"It all adds up to a fantastic package, and I will tell any other European players who ask me about it that they should try hard to make the European team for the next edition of the Royal Trophy.
"This competition could have a massive future. It can be as big as it wants to be - and I sense a real determination to make it very big indeed."
Team-mate Niclas Fasth said this defeat would create far more interest in the competition back in Europe, and predicted they would send a much stronger team in 2010.
Fasth, another player with Ryder Cup experience, was also a member of the European team that steamrollered Asia 12 1/2 - 3 1/2 in 2007. But this time he had to endure the embarrassment of losing all three matches, culminating in a record 7&6 defeat to Toru Taniguchi, who rubbed salt in the wounds by holing the putt that clinched the home team's victory.
Fasth commented: "I hate to say it, but this result could be the best thing that could have happened to the Royal Trophy - although, believe me, we fought as hard as we possibly could to prevent it happening.
"When we got home after our big win two years ago, the attitude on the European Tour seemed to be: 'Well, what else would you expect?'
"We had just won the Ryder Cup for the third time in a row, and the world rankings suggested we should always have the edge over the Asian players.
"But this defeat will make people sit up and take notice, just as the Americans only started to really embrace the Ryder Cup when they started losing to Europe.
"The Asian team played far better than they did in 2007. I will look back on 2007 with much fonder memories than 2009 - that is for sure. But people in the European Tour must realise we have to send the strongest possible team for the next edition.
"I would love to get a chance to put the record straight, but I know I would need to be in much better form than I was this time, because the Asian players all came here on the back of fantastic seasons in 2008.
"We certainly did not under-estimate them, but we must also recognise it is going to get more and more difficult to beat them.
"I believe the matches in future will be wonderful, hard-fought affairs that will help this competition to continue growing in stature."
The Asian Team prevailed over Europe in the third edition of the Royal Trophy by a score of 10-6, securing a history first ever win for the continent. The Championship was hailed as a great success for Asian golf featuring tremendous galleries, played in the immaculate 7,470-yard Amata Spring Country Club layout and delivering the highest caliber of competitive team match-play golf.
To view our Royal Trophy Photo Gallery, please click here
All results: Asia 10 Europe 6
Sunday Singles (Asia names first)
Ryo Ishikawa (Jpn) vs Soren Hansen (Den) All Square
Liang Wen-chong (PRC) lost to Paul Lawrie (Sco) 3&2
Charlie Wi (Kor) lost to Nick Dougherty (Eng) 1-up, Prayad Marksaeng (Tha) beat Pablo Larrazabal (Esp) 5&4
Hideto Tanihara (Tha) lost to Oliver Wilson (Eng) 3&2
SK Ho (Kor) lost to Johan Edfors (Swe) 5&4
Toru Taniguchi (Jpn) beat Niclas Fasth (Swe) 7&6
Thongchai Jaidee (Tha) beat Paul McGinley (Ire) 5&4.
Saturday Fourballs
Ryo Ishikawa (Jpn) and Toru Taniguchi (Jpn) vs Soren Hansen (Den) and Paul Lawrie (Sco) All Square
Charlie Wi (Kor) and Liang Wen-chong (PRC) beat Nick Dougherty (Eng) and Oliver Wilson (Eng) 3 & 2
Hideto Tanihara (Jpn) and S.K. Ho (Kor) beat Niclas Fasth (Swe) and Johan Edfors (Swe) 2 & 1
Thongchai Jaidee (Tha) and Prayad Marksaeng (Tha) beat Pablo Larrazabal (Esp) and Paul McGinley (Ire) 4 & 2
Friday Foursomes
Ryo Ishikawa (Jpn) and Toru Taniguchi (Jpn) lost to Paul Lawrie (Sco) and Soren Hansen (Den) 2 & 1
Charlie Wi (Kor) and Liang Wen-chong (PRC) beat Paul McGinley (Ire) and Pablo Larrazabal (Esp) 2-up
Hideto Tanihara (Jpn) and S.K. Ho (Kor) beat Nick Dougherty (Eng) and Oliver Wilson (Eng) 1-up
Thongchai Jaidee (Tha) and Prayad Marksaeng (Tha) beat Niclas Fasth (Swe) and Johan Edfors (Swe) 5 & 4.
