Japan's most exciting golfer, Hideto Tanihara, will be determined to give Europe's finest players a reminder of his talents when he makes his Royal Trophy debut in January.

Tanihara, 29 earlier this month, has won six times on the Japan Golf Tour, including back-to-back victories at the Fujisankei Classic and the Suntory Open in September.

But arguably his finest hour came in England last year, when he finished fifth behind Tiger Woods in the Open Championship at Hoylake, the best performance ever by a Japanese golfer in the Majors.

The confidence that resulted from that outstanding display of shot- making was obvious as Tanihara returned to Japan the following week to win his next event, the Sun Chlorella Classic.

That victory should have come as no surprise - Tanihara shot an eye-popping 28 over nine holes in the same tournament two years earlier.

He has continued to build a big reputation as a crowd-pleaser - and a winner - and his ability to shoot low scores will be a big asset in the Royal Trophy's match play format.

The third edition of the event will be staged at the exclusive Amata Spring Country Club in Bangkok from January 11-13.

Tanihara said: "I am delighted to be selected to represent Asia for the first time at the Royal Trophy 2008. It is a wonderful event that gives golfers from our Continent the chance to perform and a huge stage, and I am looking forward to the challenge."

"Europe has a formidable record in team events, having won the two previous Royal Trophy contests and the last three Ryder Cup matches. But they have to lose some time, and I think everyone wants to be a member of the team that finally halts their winning run."

"They are bound to be extremely powerful once more, but I am reassured by the fact that we have a Japanese captain in Joe Ozaki, and I will be joining our most successful player of 2007 in the team, Toru Taniguchi."

"I am sure they will make me feel at ease and help me to conquer any nerves. So hopefully we will be able to combine with the best players from the rest of Asia to make this a truly memorable event for our Continent."

Tanihara arrived at only his second Open last year as a complete unknown. But he thrilled the galleries with some dazzling golf to string together four sub-par rounds, shooting 71-66-69-71 to finish 11 under par.

That was seven shots behind world number one Woods, but Tanihara found himself in exalted company among the chasing pack.

Chris DiMarco, three times a runner-up in the Majors, emerged as Woods' closest challenger, while the only other two players to finish above Tanihara were Ernie Els and Jim Furyk, both ranked in the world's top five.

The Japanese star actually looked like finishing in a share of third place with Els when he joined the South African superstar on 12 under par with a birdie at the 16th in the final round.

A bogey at the par five last hole - where he had picked up birdies on each of the previous two days - was his only real disappointment of the week. But it was hard to feel downcast at sharing fifth place with Sergio Garcia, who had started the day just a shot behind Woods.

Tanihara recalled: "That was an unforgettable week for me, and hopefully some of the European players will remember me from Hoylake."

"As Asian players we need to experience that sort of competition more often if we are to become more of a force on the world stage, and the Royal Trophy is a big step in the right direction."

"The Royal Trophy was very close in the first year and I am certain there will be a massive desire running through the team to win it for the first time ever for the continent."

"I am fortunate that my experience at the Open taught me there is nothing to be over-awed about, because on our day we can certainly compete with the best players in the game. Hopefully I will have two or three of those days in January."