Olly handed Royal reins

Olazabal: Leader

I am truly honoured to have been appointed by Seve to take such an important responsibility and I will do my best to deliver a win for my great friend and for Europe.

Jose Maria Olazabal
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Jose Maria Olazabal will replace the ailing Seve Ballesteros as captain of the European side for next month's Royal Trophy.

Ballesteros was behind the inception of the event three years ago but, although he is recovering well from a series of brain surgeries, will not be available for the event from January 9-11.

The Spaniard has passed the captaincy to his friend and compatriot Olazabal, who was assistant to Nick Faldo at this year's Ryder Cup.

"I am truly honoured to have been appointed by Seve to take such an important responsibility and I will do my best to deliver a win for my great friend and for Europe," he said.

"I plan to stay in contact with Seve throughout the process and to work with him as a partner, just like we did in the golf course for so many years in the Ryder Cup."

The match play event, which takes place on the outskirts of Bangkok, Thailand, sees an eight-man European team take on Asia led by Joe Ozaki, who has already named his side.

Thais Prayad Marksaeng and Thongchai Jaidee, Charlie Wi and S.K. Ho of South Korea, China's Liang Wenchong and Japan's Ryo Ishikawa, Hideto Tanihara and Toru Taniguchi will take part in the three-day event.

Europe clinched victory in the first two tournaments while last year's event was called off to respect the death of the King of Thailand's sister.