Jose Maria Olazabal came face to face with a genuine Asian heavyweight on Monday - before preparing to take on the Continent's golfing powerhouses later this week.
Olazabal, who will captain Europe for the first time at the Royal Trophy in Bangkok, was greeted by a baby elephant named Rose Apple as he flew into Thailand.
Olazabal joked: "If this is the size of the apples here, I dread to think how big the Asian golfers will be.

"Anyway, I thought the Asian captain was Joe Ozaki, not Jumbo !

"But he was very friendly, and I am sure that is how we will be able to describe the Royal Trophy too.

"I am looking forward to leading Europe against a very powerful Asian team Joe has assembled, in a spirit of fierce competiition, played in the right spirit..

"I remember playing against Joe in Japan early in my career, and in the British Open, and he is a great competitior who has the utmost respect for the game's traditions.

"That is exactly how team golf should be played, and I hope that it holds good this week We will see a terrific contest. And ultimately golf will be the winner."

Olazabal has taken over the European captaincy from his long-time Ryder Cup partner Seve Ballesteros, who is making a pleasing recovery from surgery to remove a brain tumour.

Olly added: "Seve had picked the team before I was brought in as captain, and he told me to enjoy captaining them, but to watch out for this Asian team because it contains some very experienced players, as well as a very exciting 17 year old in Ryo Ishawa.

"And he also told me to make sure Europe won the Trophy for the third time !"

That will be a tough task against an Asian line-up Captain Ozaki believes is the strongest the Continent has assembled so far.

He said: "*I think it is fair to say that when I captained the team the first time in 2007 I was here to learn. This time I am here to win.

"In previous years Europe has enjoyed a big advantage over us because of their greater match play experience. But that is not such a big factor now.

"I am more expereienced, and so are my players. And I feel I have golfers who are in great form. The eight Asian players won 11 tournaments between them in 2008, with Thailand's Thongchai Jaidee and
Prayad Marksaeng winning five of them.
"They are a very strong combination, and although I don't like to give away too many secrets about my team I think it is safe to assume you will see them playing together this week."

The Royal Trophy tees off at the Amata Spring Country Club on Friday, with a series of Foursomes matches. The teams will fight it out in Fourballs on Saturday, and conclude with head-to-head singles on Sunday.