The inevitable happened sooner than later. The Europeans stamp-ed their authority over hosts Asia for the second straight year, dictating play in yesterday's singles to retain the Royal Trophy they won last year. The 12-1/2 to 3-1/2 scoreline reflects the one-sided nature of the contest at the Amata Spring Country Club.

Europe picked up six points in eight singles matches to add to the 6-1/2 they had pocketed from the foursomes and four-ball events on the previous days. 

When Darren Clarke of Ireland and Prom Meesawat halved their second singles match on the 18th hole, it became clear as the day that Europe will not be losing their grip on the trophy.

European skipper Seve Balles-teros, who has been suffering from a shoulder problem, made light of it and lifted the 16kg silver trophy and grinned from ear to ear. "It was fantastic golf. These are Ryder Cup champions. They beat the Ameri-cans very badly so this was not a surprise," said the Spaniard. "Asia did not play bad but Europe played unbelievably golf. The Asians lack the experience of team event."

Just like his predecessor Masahiro Kuramoto, Asian captain Joe Ozaki did not have an answer to stop the European domination.

"They were very strong but our players learnt a lot from them. I want my boys to play a lot more with the Europeans so they can improve. This was very, very tough."

Yet, Asia did not give up without a fight as Thai No 1 Thongchai Jaidee finally landed the only blow for the continent by beating Niclas Fasth of Sweden comprehensively 2 & 1 in the last match. It was the lone victory for the hosts in three days. It made up for his loss last year to Henrik Stenson, which handed the Europeans the title.

"I had a good plan. I hung in there and even when he put up some fight at the final stage, I kept my cool. The atmosphere was tremendous. The huge crowd following me, especially the Privy Councillor, really lifted my game," said Thongchai, who was specially praised by Prem Tinsulanonda, president of the Privy Council, after his match.

The European annihilation began with Englisman Lee Westwood clawing his way back from one down on the eighth hole to beat Japanese Toru Taniguchi 4&3. The 33-year-old accelerated on the back nine with birdies on holes 10, 11, 13 and 14 to keep his unblemished team record win to 13-0.

"There's nothing unlucky about 13 for me," smiled Westwood, who also won 10 Ryder Cup matches.

The Asian resistance started with Prom giving a tough fight to Clarke, a world champion in 2000 and 2003. After a see-saw fight, the 22-year-old Thai accepted the Ulster-man's proposal to halve their match on the par-4 18th though Clarke was closer to the hole than that the youngster. That half point was enough for Europe to retain their trophy because the reigning champions are entitled to win if they manage to score eight points first according to team event rules.

"I will go down in the record books as the man who picked up the winning point in the Royal Trophy, instead of being the man who holed the winning putt," said the 38-year-old Clarke, who, trailing 1-0 with two holes to go, was handed a lifeline by the Thai who bogeyed on the 17th.

"I hit it to four feet at the last and Prom was 20 feet above the flag after his approach shot. I looked at him and asked if he would take the half, so we both picked our balls up.

"It was one of those matches where you did not want to see a loser, a real good ding-dong battle played in terrific spirit. I knew we only needed half a point to keep the Royal Trophy and it wasn't as if the result was in any doubt, otherwise we might have putted out," said Clarke.

"It was hard to believe I have played Darren twice and managed to get a half both times," said Prom

Lerpong Amsa-ngiam

The Nation

Chon Buri