Japanese golf sensation Ryo Ishikawa and Korean match-play maestro Kim Kyung-tae have been nominated by Captain Naomichi ‘Joe’ Ozaki to represent Asia at the Royal Trophy. The sixth edition of the continental match between Europe and Asia will be held on 14-16 December at The Empire Hotel & Country Club in the Sultanate of Brunei.
“Ryo Ishikawa and Kim Kyung-tae are great champions and both have comprehensively proven their ability to perform very well under pressure at the Royal Trophy,” said the legendary Asian Team Captain Ozaki.
“I am looking forward to bringing together a powerful Asian Team to compete against the Europeans – and we certainly will fight fiercely to secure the victory for our Asian Continent,” added the 35-time tournament title winner.
Ryo Ishikawa is the youngest-ever golfer to win a professional title, the youngest ever to turn professional, the youngest ever to win a Tour Order of Merit title and is the only player to ever record a round of 58 in the history of professional golf. The 20-year-old golf phenomenon is arguably Japan’s most famous and photographed personality.
Seoul resident Kim Kyung-tae is the winner of 9 professional titles, winner of the Japan Golf Tour Order of Merit in 2010 and an Asian Games Gold medalist in both Team and Individual competitions.
“The Royal Trophy will continue to be played in its traditional format featuring a total of 16 matches including foursomes, four-ball, and singles. The matches will be conducted over three days with the Asian and European Teams each comprised of a captain and eight players,” said Andy Yamanaka, Chief Tournament Director of the Royal Trophy and Executive Director of the Japan Golf Tour.
“The sixth edition of the Royal Trophy promises to be a monumental match with Captain Ozaki leading a very dynamic Asian Team and José Maria Olazábal captaining the Europeans who are presently the Royal Trophy and Ryder Cup holders. The golf course is stunning, The Empire Hotel & Country Club is truly majestic and all preparations point towards the Sultanate of Brunei being a most gracious Host Nation for the matches,” said Lincoln Venancio, the Royal Trophy Managing Director.
The next edition of the Royal Trophy will be held as a tribute to the late legendary Seve Ballesteros who led the Europeans to victory at the two inaugural editions of the Competition. Eight-time European Tour Order of Merit winner Colin Montgomerie OBE is the first player nominated by Olazábal for the European defense of the Trophy.
The Royal Trophy will be immediately preceded by the 2012 Asia Pacific Golf Summit – an event firmly established as one of the world’s leading business gatherings for the golf industry.
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