All set to make his debut for Asia in the Royal Trophy against Europe, Indian pro Shiv Kapur is hoping to replicate the form which saw him launch his career in glorious style on Thai soil with the 2005 Masters of Asia.
That victory came just a month after Kapur had finished runner-up in the Double A International Open -- also in Thailand -- and he rocketed from 85th on the Asian Tour Order of Merit to fourth, winning him the rookie of the year award.
"Thailand seems to have been a golden thread in my career so far, and it seems somehow appropriate that I will be making my debut for Asia there," Kapur said.
The 25-year-old is yet to add to that victory and is hoping to end the title-drought.
The Indian will be joined by seasoned pro Jeev Milkha Singh, who also went without a title last year. Kapur said he never expected to make the Asian team at such an early stage of his career.
"It is a massive honour, and one I could not really have imagined would come my way so soon. But it seems our Asian Team Captain, Joe Ozaki, wants to have a good blend of youth and experience, and I will do everything I can to repay his trust in me," he said.
Apart from Kapur and Jeev the Asian line-up will have two of his Japanese countrymen in Toru Taniguchi and Hideto Tanihara, a couple of in-form Korean aces in Charlie Wi and Lee Dong-Hwan, and the Thai trio of Thongchai Jaidee, Prayad Marksaeng and Chapchai Nirat.
Ozaki admitted he is happy to have at least two players from each of the Asian countries represented.
"It is good to have familiar faces and people who speak the same language as you in the team room when we are still so new to team golf. But golf is an international language, and I would be most surprised if the opportunity to mix and match different nationalities did not present itself," he said.
"Our only chance of beating the more experienced Europeans is by truly coming together as a team, and embracing the concept that we are all Asians determined to do our best for our Continent," he added.
The European line-up has been completed with David Howell, twice a Ryder Cup winner and victorious in the first Royal trophy two years ago, securing the final place in Seve Ballesteros' team.
He joins four other players with winning form in both the Ryder Cup and the Royal Trophy -- Darren Clarke, Paul McGinley, Niclas Fasth, and Robert Karlsson were all members of Seve's triumphant team in 2007.
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