Royal Trophy Asian Team Captain Joe Ozaki has named Thai golfing hero Thongchai Jaidee as the sixth player for what is arguably the strongest team ever to represent the continent in the match-play competition. The thirty five tournament title winner Ozaki made the announcement from Japan following his participation in the prestigious Dunlop Phoenix tournament.

“Thongchai is a very strong and highly experienced golfer. He has proven that he can perform soundly in a team match-play format and his great personality extends support and motivation to his teammates. He has also performed exceptionally well in the previous two editions of the Royal Trophy. Thongchai is a player that I definitely want to have in our Asia Team,” said the legendary Ozaki.

“I wanted to have two Thai players in our Asian effort – and this gives me the opportunity to pair them together for the foursomes and four-ball matches. Thongchai and Prayad make for a terrific team and I am very pleased to have this powerful pair as an option when we face the Europeans in January. I have not made any decisions on the pairings yet – it is just too early to do that. But I am very excited about how our Asian troops are coming together and the challenge we will present to Europe,” added the US PGA Champions Tour star.

Thongchai Jaidee is one of Asia’s most accomplished golfers and was the first Thai to win a European Tour title - when he claimed the 2004 Malaysian Open. The thirty-nine year old secured his place in the history books of Asian golf when twelve months later he defended that title.

“To be selected to play for Asia for the third time is a huge honor. The Royal Trophy is a fantastic event and to play for Asia is a great responsibility. We will be trying to wrestle stewardship of the Royal Trophy from the Europeans – who have had great success in the Ryder Cup over the past decade and have a large pool of very strong players to count on. We have a very important challenge ahead of us – a challenge that I am very much looking forward to facing,” said the two-time Asian Tour Order of Merit winner.

“I am very happy to pair with Prayad (Marksaeng) as the two Thai players selected up to now. Prayad has had a great year and together we can produce high quality golf. We are comfortable with each other and we know each other’s game well. But the pairings are up to Captain Ozaki, and whatever they are he can count on me going out and playing my heart out,” added the ten-time tournament title winner.

“I am really excited about competing to gain stewardship of the Royal Trophy for Asia. The Royal Trophy was graciously donated by our King and retaining it in Thailand would be one of the proudest moments of my career. We have a lot of work ahead of us but I am confident we can do it. I will fight for the win with all of my energy and strength,” concluded the former Royal Thai Army paratrooper.

Thongchai Jaidee’s great success in the Asian Tour has earned him over USD 2 million in career prize money while his consistent performances in Europe have secured him over USD 3 million in European Tour earnings.

The third edition of the Royal Trophy will be held on January 9-11, 2009 at the exclusive 7,470-yard Amata Spring Country Club in Bangkok, Thailand. Each of the European and Asian Teams will feature eight players and a non-playing Captain as they compete in four foursomes, four four-ball and eight singles matches.

“The third edition of the Royal Trophy is expected to deliver a powerful mixture of very high quality professional golf being showcased, the sporting passion which only a continental team competition can generate, a fantastically challenging golf course in perfect condition as the venue and a very exciting group of great players battling for the pride and honor of their people. It will be a great highlight for the sport of golf in 2009,” said Lincoln Venancio, Managing Director of tournament Promoters Entertainment Group.