Dominant Europe thrash Asia to defend title

Defending champions Europe stormed to an emphatic Royal Trophy victory after the team registered five victories in the eight singles matches against Asia at Thailand's Amata Springs Country Club yesterday.

Dominating the Ryder Cup-style match play event from the opening day, the visitors took six of the eight points available in the singles, with their 12 1/2-3 1/2 triumph ensuring the trophy went back to Europe for a second successive year.

Captain Seve Ballesteros said the quality of his team's performance showed why Europe were the dominant force in team golf.

"We really showed our potential over the last three days, everyone played fantastic," he said.

Asia never looked like winning the contest against a team containing five members of Europe's victorious 2006 Ryder Cup side and the hosts appeared overawed as they were trounced in foursomes and fourballs on the first two days.