Asia Make Royal Trophy Headway Against Europe

Yet to win the competition, the Asians started poorly but showed consistency after the midway point to take the upper hand.

Asia took a commanding 3-1 lead over twice-winners Europe on day one of the Royal Trophy on Friday with wins in all but one of their foursomes matches.

Yet to win the competition, the Asians started poorly but showed consistency after the midway point to take the upper hand over a jaded European team which struggled with wayward shots in blustery conditions at the Amata Spring Country Club.

"Compared to the last Royal Trophy, when the Asian team didn't win a match on the first two days, it felt like I must be dreaming to be 3-1 ahead," Asia captain Naomichi "Joe" Ozaki told reporters.

"My team now has the confidence from today's performance to go on and play just as well over the next two days."

Thai pairing Thongchai Jaidee and Prayad Marksaeng underlined their familiarity with the course in their 5&4 victory over Niclas Fasth and Johan Edfors, who carded five bogeys and two birdies on a miserable round of 14 holes.

"We had a good partnership going. It was a good win," said Thongchai, who with Prayad hit four birdies and a pair of bogeys. "This team is really good. We were slow starting as every match we were down, but we came back."

Charlie Wi and Liang Wenchong rebounded to secure a 2 up win after a poor start. They trailed for 12 holes before Paul McGinley and Pablo Larrazabal's form took a nosedive on the back nine.

FIGHT BACK

Spaniard Larrazabal had seized the early initiative with a stunning bunker shot on the second, which travelled 180 yards and fell three feet short of the pin to set up an eagle, but the Asian pair slowly climbed back.

"We were three down really quickly and we had to fight really hard," Wi said. "The back nine we had good shots coming in, got in a good position. We feel great with this win."

Soren Hansen and former Open champion Paul Lawrie also started poorly but carded back-to-back birdies on a blemish-free back nine to beat Ryo Ishikawa and Toru Taniguchi 2&1.

S.K. Ho and Hideto Tanihara came through in a tight and nervy match with Oliver Wilson and Nick Dougherty to finish 1 up. The Britons let their lead slip after finding the water on the tricky ninth hole and allowed Asia to take control at the turn.

Ho kept his cool as crowds gathered around the 18th hole and nailed the putt to give Asia the overnight lead.

Europe captain Jose Maria Olazabal stood by his choice of pairings and said his team now had a battle on their hands.

"The whole European team was very disappointed today. We did not play to our usual standards," Olazabal said.

"The players need to push the pedal down when we are in front. Tomorrow we are going to have to play our guts out to try to cut the deficit."