Japan's Hideto Tanihara has been announced by Captain Joe Ozaki as the fourth player to have earned his place in the Asian Team to face Europe on January 9-11, 2009 at the prestigious Royal Trophy. Tanihara's selection comes following his leading Japan's Order of Merit for much of 2008.

"Hideto Tanihara is a great addition to our Asian Team. He has been playing very well for all of 2007 and 2008 and has already won two titles in the Japan Tour this year. He is one of the players best positioned to prevail in the 2008 Japan Tour Order of Merit. It is clear that he is capable of playing great golf and I am looking forward to working with him at the Royal Trophy;" said the legendary Ozaki.

Tanihara, the winner of eight career Japan Tour titles including two in each of 2006, 2007 and 2008, has proven to be capable of playing very consistent golf but also of delivering fantastically low rounds at the required time. The 29-year-old highly promising talent secured his place in the Asian Team by winning the Musingwear Open KSB Cup and the Asia-Pacific Panasonic Open over the past months - therefore positioning himself as an obvious selection for Captain Ozaki.

He commented: "I have worked hard and have had good success for the past few years. Being selected amongst the elite eight Asian players to represent our Continent in the Royal Trophy is a great reward for all of my efforts. I was determined to make the Team and cannot wait to tee off for Asia against the Europeans.

"The Royal Trophy is a very exciting concept, and it is a great honor to be selected to represent such a huge Continent. The expectations will be high but I am used to setting myself high standards, and I will do my very best to deliver the wins and points to our Team;" added the Japanese star whose first professional victory came in 2003.

Tanihara will certainly be able to look back on 2008 with fondness, and not just because of his selection for the Royal Trophy. He married popular Japanese actress Ayaka Nagate in July, and came close to celebrating by winning the Sun Chlorella Classic for the second time a few weeks later. He eventually had to settle for second place in that event and, in confirmation
of his great consistency, has also posted six more top 12 finishes this year.

Perceived as one of Japan's most flamboyant stroke makers, Tanihara is capable of producing spectacular bouts of scoring along the way. He shot 28 over nine holes for the second time during the Sun Chlorella Classic earlier this year, and his wire-to-wire win at the Munsingwear Open KSB Cup saw him post first three rounds of 65-67-65. If he reproduces this type of form at the Royal Trophy - the confident Japanese golfer will certainly prove to be a tremendous asset in the Asian Team's efforts to tame the Europeans.

It is also certain that the European players will not underestimate Tanihara's ability on the golf course after being treated to a glimpse of his talent at the Open Championship in 2006. Tanihara arrived at Royal Liverpool with low expectations that year but eventually finished joint fifth, a performance that still ranks as the very best by any Japanese player in history in a Major championship.

Tanihara added: "My performance at Royal Liverpool did wonders for my confidence, and it launched me on the golden spell where I've had six victories since then. A performance of that level at the Open Championship is something a golfer never forgets. It is an extraordinary feeling.

"I will be looking for another confidence boost in the Royal Trophy. This has been a wonderful year for me on and off the course, and it would be extraordinary to start 2009 with a win for Asia at the Royal Trophy;" concluded Tanihara.

Asian Team Captain Ozaki added on his latest selection: "I believe we are well on our way to bring together an excellent Team. We are now half way in terms of nominating our players having selected four of the eight players.

"Prayad Marksaeng, Liang Wen-Chong, Charlie Wi and Hideto Tanihara are players of fantastic talent and great experience. They are all great champions and I am very confident that they will perform strongly for Asia in January. We will come to Thailand prepared to give the Europeans a very serious challenge and win the Royal Trophy."