Monday, Jan. 12, 2009

BANGKOK (AP) Asia clinched its first Royal Trophy matchplay tournament against Europe on Sunday, with the winners saying it is evidence of Asia's growing importance in world golf.

Europe won four of the eight singles matches Sunday and squared another, but could not make up for Asia's dominance in foursomes and fourball on the opening two days, giving Asia an overall 10-6 win.

It was a convincing victory for Asia after losses in the 2006 and 2007 event.

"For Asia to beat Europe, we can show something to the golfing world as we are always number three behind America and Europe," S.K. Ho said. "Now that we've beaten Europe, it's time for us to move up."

The Europe players partly blamed their defeat on lack of match practice following the offseason.

"That's what we have to be prepared to face when we come up against Asia rusty," Denmark's Soren Hansen said.

"We have to be ready and prepared, that's they way it is now."

England's Nick Dougherty said captain Jose Maria Olazabal — replacing his ill close friend Seve Ballesteros — should not be apportioned any blame for the defeat.

"I feel really sorry for Olly because he has done a great job, phenomenal," Dougherty said.

"He is going to be a very worthy Ryder Cup captain one day.

"You can imagine what the atmosphere was like for us. After the first day we were sitting around saying "what the hell happened." Then on the second day it was a double "what the hell happened." But even through all of that he was brilliant."

Europe, trailing 6 1/2 to 1 1/2 entering Sunday's singles, needed a strong start and Scotland's Paul Lawrie delivered an early win when he beat China's Liang Wenchong 3 and 2.

However Thailand's Prayad Marksaeng beat Spain's Pablo Larrazabal 5 and 4 and Toru Taniguchi then thrashed Sweden's Niclas Fasth 7 and 6 to quickly put the trophy in Asia's keeping.

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