Royal Trophy - Europeans lead after first day 6-2

An inspired Europe soared in the wind to o pen up a four-point lead over Asia at the The Royal Trophy after outstanding performances in the foursomes and fourball matches on Saturday.

The Seve Ballesteros -led European side leads the historic showdown 6-2 at the spectacular Amata Spring Country Club and left the Asian stars with an uphill battle with eight singles showdowns scheduled on Sunday.

Irish stalwarts Paul McGinley and Graeme McDowell struck first blood for Europe in the morning by winning the first point in the alternate shot foursomes matches against Arjun Atwal and Jyoti Randhawa of India and went on to win their afternoon fourball match against SK Ho of Korea and Chinese ace Zhang Lian-wei . Big Dane Thomas Bjorn and rising Swedish star Henrik Stenson also starred for Europe with winning records from two matches.

Despite the presence of massive crowds to rally the home side on a sun-kissed but blustery day, Asia , skippered by Massy Kuramoto of Japan, succumbed to the might of the visitors.

Thai home heroes Thongchai Jaidee and Thaworn Wiratchant , who enjoyed a stylish 6 & 5 win over Nick Faldo of England and Welshman Ian Woosnam in the morning and Randhawa and Atwal , who beat English duo David Howell and Kenneth Ferrie in the afternoon, delivered the two points for Asia .

With eight singles to play, Europe need only two and a half points to fly home with the impressive Royal Trophy, which was presented by his Majesty, the King of Thailand.

"I think it was a wonderful day," beamed Ballesteros , who is seeking a third team victory as captain after wins in the Ryder Cup and Seve Trophy. "I think we just had a little more luck on the greens. Probably the lack of experience from the Asian team might have been the difference. It was a great afternoon."

The Spaniard's uncanny ability to inspire his players was evident as his decision to split Faldo and Woosnam in the fourballs reaped dividends. Faldo partnered the talented Stenson in the afternoon for a 1-up win over Japan's Yasuharo Imano and Keiichiro Fukabori while Woosnam , who will captain Europe in the Ryder Cup in September, got his first point at The Royal Trophy alongside Bjorn, thanks to a 3 & 2 triumph over Thaworn and Thongchai in the fourballs .

"Because the course is so long, I felt Ian and Nick needed a long hitter to balance both teams. They both won a point, so it was the right decision," said Ballesteros , a five-time major champion.

Kuramoto was disappointed with the o pen ing day's outcome. "After being down 1-3 in the morning, I felt I wanted three points in the afternoon but we only got two points after the first day. Europe need only two and half points to win the Trophy which means we need five and a half points. I will strongly encourage my players to try and beat whoever they are playing tomorrow."

After winning the foursomes in the morning 3-1, Europe kept the pressure on with the in-form Bjorn and Woosnam delivering the first fourball victory in the afternoon, beating Thongchai and Thaworn 3 & 2. Bjorn was in mesmerising form, shooting seven birdies and earned the admiration of Woosnam , who will captain Europe in the Ryder Cup in September. Woosnam enthused: "Thomas played great and I just came in on a couple of holes. It's looking good for the singles but we will need a couple of points to start."

Atwal and Randhawa redeemed themselves after losing their morning match when they edged English duo David Howell and Kenneth Ferrie 1-up. The Indians conceded that Europe enjoyed the upper hand due to the playing conditions.

"The wind got up and it favoured the Europeans. Definitely, one or two matches went their way because of the wind. We've got nothing to lose now and we'll have to keep trying," said Randhawa , who sparked his partnership with two birdies and one eagle on the o pen ing three holes.

McGinley and McDowell held off Zhang and Korea 's SK Ho 2 & 1 as Zhang rued numerous birdie putts as he put his team under pressure. He missed from six feet on 14 for birdie, failed to convert short putts on 15 and 16. Earlier in the morning, Zhang missed an eight-foot putt on the 18th for a halve with Bjorn and Stenson . "I had a terrible day on the greens and missed many short putts. I couldn't handle the greens and didn't have a feel with my putter. Hopefully, tomorrow it will be better," said Zhang.

Veteran Faldo , Europe's leading points scorer in the Ryder Cup, made up for his disappointing defeat with Woosnam by partnering Stenson to victory in the last match of the o pen ing day against the Japanese duo.

"It was great to get the competitive juices going again," said Faldo after the narrow victory. " Henrik was very impressive and I managed to come in with a few birdies over the last few holes. I enjoyed it out there."

Earlier in the morning, Thongchai and Thaworn , the reigning Asian Tour number one, enjoyed a rare high for Asia when they outclassed major champions Faldo and Woosnam in the anchor foursomes match.

"It was a nice feeling to beat Nick ( Faldo ) and Ian ( Woosnam ). Thongchai putted very good . I didn't hit my irons too close but he kept converting the chances. There are a lot of fans here which was nice to see," said Thaworn .

With eight outstanding singles matches slated on Sunday, the fans who came out in large numbers today, can expect another exciting day of golf to mark the close of the first Royal Trophy.

RESULTS

DAY 1: ASIA 2 EUROPE 6

Saturday Morning (Foursomes) Asia 1 Europe 3

SK Ho ( Kor ) & Keiichiro Fukabori ( Jpn ) lost to David Howell (Eng) & Kenneth Ferrie (Eng) 2-up

Arjun Atwal ( Ind ) & Jyoti Randhawa ( Ind ) lost to Paul McGinley (Ire) & Graeme McDowell ( Nir ) 4&3

Yasuharu Imano ( Jpn ) & Zhang Lian-wei ( Prc ) lost to Thomas Bjorn (Den) & Henrik Stenson ( Swe ) 1-up

Thaworn Wiratchant ( Tha ) & Thongchai Jaidee ( Tha ) bt Nick Faldo (Eng) & Ian Woosnam ( Wal ) 6&5

Saturday Afternoon ( Fourball ) Asia 1 Europe 3

Arjun Atwal ( Ind ) & Jyoti Randhawa ( Ind ) beat David Howell (Eng) & Kenneth Ferrie (Eng) 1-up

SK Ho ( Kor ) & Zhang Lian-wei ( Prc ) lost to Graeme McDowell ( Nir ) & Paul McGinley (Ire) 2 & 1

Thaworn Wiratchant ( Tha ) & Thongchai Jaidee ( Tha ) lost to Thomas Bjorn (Den) & Ian Woosnam ( Wal ) 3 & 2

Keiichiro Fukabori ( Jpn ) & Yasuharu Imano ( Jpn ) lost to Nick Faldo (Eng) & Henrik Stenson ( Swe ) 1-up