Seve Ballesteros, determined to make a successful return to golf this season, begins 2007 this week as the non-playing captain of the Europe team hoping to defend the Royal Trophy against Asia in Bangkok.

Ballesteros led his side to a 9-7 victory in the inaugural match last year and has five of the successful Ryder Cup team under him this time.

"Darren Clarke, Lee Westwood and Paul McGinley are all hardened Ryder Cup campaigners," he said.

"And three of the four Swedish players in my team — Henrik Stenson, Robert Karlsson and Niclas Fasth — have also played in winning European teams."

The three-day match starts on Friday and Ballesteros is expecting some stiff competition from an Asian line-up including Thai Thongchai Jaidee and Volvo Masters champion Jeev Mikha Singh from India.

"Their team looks even stronger than last year. Happily, I feel I also have a powerful team under my command."

McGinley is one of only two survivors from the 2006 European team and said: "This is anything but a gentle work-out. There is a great deal of intensity in the matches and a lot of pride at stake — you would expect that from any team captained by Seve.

"I'm glad we have put together such a strong team because we will have to be at our best to beat Asia again this time."