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Seve opens up with the big guns

Royal Trophy: Seve Ballesteros predicted early success for his European team over their Asian counterparts on the opening day…

Fri Jan 12 2007 - 00:00

Royal Trophy:Seve Ballesteros predicted early success for his European team over their Asian counterparts on the opening day of the Royal Trophy at the Amata Spring Country Club in Bangkok early today.

The Spaniard, who is aiming to retain the title his team won in the competition's inaugural year in 2006, believes his players can deliver a two-point advantage after the opening foursomes.

"Everybody's going to have a tough match but I'm confident Europe can end the day with a 3-1 lead," he said. "We will be looking at the players, to see who is playing well and who is only playing so-so and that will determine how the team shapes up for the rest of the tournament."

Europe won the trophy on the course just outside Bangkok last year with a 9-7 result in the eight-man event, and they have brought a stronger line-up to Thailand this time around.

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There were few surprises in his foursomes pairings, with Darren Clarke and Lee Westwood - so successful in Europe's Ryder Cup success - opening up for Ballesteros' team.

The decision to place them in in the first match prompted Asian captain Joe Ozaki into a last-minute reshuffle, the Japanese golfer opting for South Korea's S K Ho and Toru Taniguchi to go out first.

"I was disappointed to lose the coin toss because I was hoping to put the Thai boys out first, but I changed my mind at the last minute," said Ozaki.

The Thais - Thongchai Jaidee and Thaworn Wiratchant - now go off last against Swedes Niclas Fasth and Robert Karlsson.

In the other foursomes, Asian number one Jeev Milkha Singh and Yang Yong-eun of South Korea take on Anthony Wall and Paul McGinley in the second match, while Johan Edfors and Henrik Stenson face off against Tetsuji Hiratsuka and Prom Meesawat.

Ozaki, too, believes he has the players on hand to win the trophy but worries about his first tournament as a team captain.

"We have a very strong line-up of the best golfers in Asia," he said. "It's my first time as captain. I'm not entirely sure what I will have to do but I'm certain it will be a great experience."