Three-day Royal Trophy match starts in Thailand

Paul Lawrie a winner but Asians

take 3-1 lead over Europe

PRESS RELEASE FROM ASIAN TOUR
Bangkok, January 9: Asia bounced back from an opening defeat to take a 3-1 lead over Europe after a thrilling opening day’s foursomes session at The Royal Trophy on Friday.
Japanese teenage sensation Ryo Ishikawa and Toru Taniguchi lost the top match 2&1 to Aberdeen's Paul Lawrie, pictured right by Cal Carson Golf Agency, and Denmark’s Soren Hansen but local heroes Thongchai Jaidee and Prayad Marksaeng sparked the great fightback at Amata Spring Country Club.
The celebrated Thais, who have a combined 16 titles on the Asian Tour, romped to a 5&4 victory over Sweden’s Niclas Fasth and Johan Edfors to level the tie before Korea’s Charlie Wi and Liang Wen-chong of China edged Irishman Paul McGinley and Pablo Larrazabal of Spain 2-up after clawing back from three-down through eight holes.
Korea’s S.K. Ho holed a nerve-jangling bogey putt from three feet on the 18th green as he and partner Hideto Tanihara of Japan delivered Asia’s third point with a 1-up win over English pairing Nick Dougherty and Oliver Wilson.
It was the first time in three editions of the Royal Trophy that Asia had snatched the first day lead which left captain Naomichi ‘Joe’ Ozaki beaming from ear to ear. The opening day’s outcome also left Europe with a battle on their hands to win a third straight Royal Trophy.
“My players played really well. I feel like I’m dreaming now, especially after my past experience at the Royal Trophy,” said the Japanese legend.
“I’m very happy. My players now have the confidence for the next two days after today’s good results. I think our motivation to win this year’s Royal Trophy is very strong. That’s why we managed to play well today.”
After Ishikawa, a two-time winner in Japan despite being only 17 years old, and 2007 Japanese number one Taniguchi lost in a close opening encounter, Prayad and Thongchai came through in style for the Asian team from the anchor match.
“In the early stages, Europe were up in all the matches and we said let’s try and fight hard to get a point for the team,” said debutant Prayad.
The Swedes led one-up after four holes but the Thais simply overwhelmed their opponents with a strong combination which had seen them finish seventh in the World Cup last November.
“Thongchai felt that we were really a strong combination and we were confident of beating the Swedes. After the sixth hole, we were one-up and when Johan hit it into the water on eight for us to go two-up, we were very confident of winning,” said Prayad.
US-based Wi and Liang, both making their Royal Trophy debuts, produced a gutsy comeback to hand McGinley his first ever defeat in the Ryder Cup-style event. Wi conceded they got lucky on the ninth hole when McGinley pulled his approach into water to reduce Europe’s lead to two-up.
“We got off to a rough start. We were three down really quickly and we knew that we had to fight really hard to earn half a point. On the back nine, we hit some good shots and gave us some birdie chances and they made some bad shots.
“We feel great that we pulled it off. Liang made a good putt on 11 from 50 feet for birdie which got us back to one down and we fought hard. That putt on 11 gave us momentum,” said Wi.
Ho admitted he was nervous standing over his three-foot bogey putt for a win over Europe in what was the last match on the course after Tanihara knocked his par attempt well past the cup.
But the Asians also got lucky on 17 when Tanihara hit a poor third shot which bounced off a spectator’s umbrella and landed near the pin for an unlikely par and kept the match level.
“We got lucky on 17. Europe had a birdie chance but they didn’t make it,” said Ho, an eight-time winner in Japan. “We are feeling good. This is the first time that we’re ahead after the first day and I think we’ve got a good chance to win the Royal Trophy.”
Europe captain Jose Maria Olazabal, standing in for tournament founder and twice skipper Seve Ballesteros who is recovering from brain surgery, was disappointed with the team’s performance.
“The boys know that they didn’t play up to the standards that we are used to seeing from them and they face a very tough challenge. We knew that before we started, and now that we have made this start, things are going to be even more difficult. We are going to have play really well in the next couple of days to win this event,” said Olazabal, who is touted as a future Ryder Cup captain for Europe.
“The players know that we need to put our foot down on the gas and really push the pedal. I have said all along this week that we a great respect for the Asian Team, but we believe that we can win here and tomorrow we are going to have to play our guts out.”

Results (foursomes – Asia first)
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) bt Paul McGinley (Ire) and Pablo Larrazabal (Esp) 2 holes.
Hideto Tanihara (Jpn) and S.K. Ho (Kor) bt Nick Dougherty (Eng) and Oliver Wilson (Eng) 1 hole.
Thongchai Jaidee (Tha) and Prayad Marksaeng (Tha) bt Niclas Fasth (Swe) and Johan Edfors (Swe) 5 & 4.

Saturday four-ball draw
11.05am: Ryo Ishikawa and Toru Taniguchi vs Soren Hansen (Den) and Paul Lawrie (Sco)
11.18am: Charlie Wi (Kor) and Liang Wen-chong (PRC) vs Nick Dougherty (Eng) and Oliver Wilson (Eng)
11.31am: Hideto Tanihara (Jpn) and S.K. Ho (Kor) vs Niclas Fasth (Swe) and Johan Edfors (Swe)
11.44am: Thongchai Jaidee (Tha) and Prayad Marksaeng (Tha) vs Pablo Larrazabal (Esp) and Paul McGinley (Ire)