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Team Europe made a promising start under the captaincy of Colin Montgomerie by recording victory over Asia to reclaim the Royal Trophy.

Standing in for Seve Ballesteros, who is still recovering from brain surgery, the Scot opted to include himself for the match, as well as leading a side which blended both youth and experience.

Asia put up a strong fight, taking an early lead in the opening day’s foursomes, and looked like forcing a play-off as they trailed by just one point with only one match remaining in the singles.

However, after a bogey by Thongchai Jaidee on the last, Sweden’s Henrik Stenson holed out from six feet to half the tie and secure an 8½ – 7½ victory.

“It was an honour to captain the team,” said Montgomerie, who kept up his remarkable singles record in team competition with a half against China’s No.1 Liang Wen-chong.

“We came here with a strong team and it was very, very close. All credit to my team for fighting. They all contributed at least a point out there this week and we did great.

“It’s a very important year for European golf and this has been a good start for us,” added Monty, who will lead a 12-man European team against the United States in the Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor in October.

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Bryce Ritchie is the Editor of bunkered and, in addition to leading on content and strategy, oversees all aspects of the brand. The first full-time journalist employed by bunkered, he joined the company in 2001 and has been editor since 2009. A member of Balfron Golfing Society, he currently plays off nine and once got a lesson from Justin Thomas’ dad.

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