BEIJING (AFP) - Seve Ballesteros will captain an elite European team that will take on Asia in a new team tournament which organisers hope will trigger Ryder Cup-style rivalry between the two continents.
The Royal Trophy, to be played in Thailand, has been sanctioned by the Asian, Japan and European Tours, clearing the way for the teams to field their strongest possible line-ups, the organisers said in a statement.

Five-time major winner Ballesteros has been confirmed as Europe's non-playing captain.

The event will be held on January 5-8 at the Amata Spring Country Club in Bangkok. Each team of eight players, led by a non-playing captain, will compete in a series of 16 matches involving foursomes, four-ball and singles.

"Team golf is something very special and incredibly exciting. Many of the great moments in my career have happened at the Ryder Cup," said Ballesteros.

"I'm delighted to captain the European team in this historic first edition of The Royal Trophy. It's great for me to see Europe and Asia, two continents of tremendous cultural diversity and history, coming together for this tournament."

Ballesteros said the event had the potential to grow into "one of the world's great sporting competitions".

Lincoln Venancio, managing director of event promoter Entertainment Group Limited, said the Asian team was likely to include players from Japan, South Korea, China, Taiwan, India and Thailand.

According to the promoters, the Asian, Japan and European Tours have agreed that six players on each team will be chosen according to each Tour's Order of Merit table and the world rankings.

The two remaining players on each side will be captain's picks.

"Without question, our Asian team members will take the responsibility of representing this massive region very seriously and will perform to the very best of their ability," said Asian Tour chief executive Louis Martin.

Keith Waters, director of international policy for the European Tour, added: "Team events like the Ryder Cup have proved to be enormously successful and competitive over the past 20 years and The Royal Trophy has the scope to engender an equally compelling event played in the best traditions of the game."

The first two players to qualify for the European team will be selected according to the European Tour Order of Merit on October 31 while the first to qualify for Asia will be chosen according to the world rankings on November 7.

The teams will be finalised in mid-December.