Asia secure early advantage

Jaidee (L) and Marksaeng: emphatic 5&4 victory

Foursomes results:
Hansen/Lawrie bt Ishikawa/Taniguchi 2&1
McGinley/Larrazabal lost to Wi/Wen-chong 2 down
Wilson/Dougherty lost to Ho/Tanihara 1 down
Fasth/Edfors lost to Jaidee/Marksaeng 5&4

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Asia put past disappointments behind them to make the stronger start on the first day of the Royal Trophy at the Amata Spring Country Club in Bangkok on Friday.

Naomichi 'Joe' Ozaki's side opened a 3-1 lead after the foursomes matches on a day when Europe could not build on early advantages.

The Europeans headed into the event as holders having won both previous editions of the tournament in 2006 and 2007 - the latter by an overwhelming 12½-3½ scoreline.

However, the action promises to be a lot closer this time around with Europe's team - led by Jose Maria Olazabal in the absence of Seve Ballesteros - now with work to do ahead of Saturday's fourball matches.

Europe made the more promising start and twice found themselves ahead in all four matches during the first nine holes of competition.

But blustery conditions saw the matches turned on their head around the turn with Asia climbing into the ascendancy and finishing strongly to secure the early advantage.

Scotland's Paul Lawrie and Denmark's Soren Hansen beat Japanese duo Ryo Ishikawa and Toru Taniguchi 2&1 in the top match to earn Europe the first point, but Thai pairing Thongchai Jaidee and Prayad Marksaeng, buoyed by five birdies in their first eight holes, eased to a convincing 5&4 triumph over Swedes Niclas Fasth and Johan Edfors to level the scores.

Patience

China's Liang Wen-chong and South Korean Charlie Wi won the last three holes to finish two up on Paul McGinley and Spain's Pablo Larrazabal - the Irishman's first loss in three appearances at the event.

The hosts then extended their lead as Englishmen Oliver Wilson and Nick Dougherty - level through 17 holes - stumbled badly down the last to allow Japan's Hideto Tanihara and Korea's SK Ho to steal a narrow one up victory.

Lawrie insists patience will be key over the course of the three days, just as it proved to be during his win with Hansen in the opening match.

The Scot and his partner had their noses in front for much of the front nine only for big-hitting youngster Ishikawa and Taniguchi to make birdies on nine and ten - a lead they maintained until the 14th.

A bogey from the Asians then drew Europe level before successive late birdies proved decisive.

"We've both played Ryder Cup and you learn to expect the unexpected," stated Lawrie.

"They holed a few big, big putts just to stay one up, but you expect that in these types of team matches.

"You've just got to keep going and keep grinding away and hope for a break.

"Sixteen was a big hole for us. I decided to knock it down there and Soren hit a beautiful chip into the green - much the same as he had on 15 - and I managed to roll the putt in."