Asian Captain Joe Ozaki has put the finishing touch to his Asian Team to defend the Royal Trophy against the might of Europe in early January by selecting Indian golfing sensation Gaganjeet Bhullar.

The big-hitting Bhullar, who made his Asian Tour breakthrough this year by winning the Indonesian President Invitational, has claimed the eighth and final spot on Captain Ozaki's powerful-looking Asian line-up.

Bhullar, 21, joins his Indian compatriot and two-time Asian Tour Order of Merit champion Jeev Milkha Singh, in an Asian Team that also includes golf's newest global superstar, Ryo Isihkawa – who continued his climb towards the top of the golfing ladder by winning the Japan Golf Tour Order of Merit this year at just eighteen years of age.

Singh, twice an Asian Tour Order of Merit champion himself, is delighted that Bhullar will be teeing off alongside him at the Amata Spring Country Club in Chonburi from January 8-10.

He said: "Gaganjeet has been recognised as one of India's most exciting young players since he emerged as our top amateur a few years ago, winning the World Junior Masters Championship in 2005. I was aware of his potential even before that, and it is great to see he has made a similar impact on the professional scene this year, winning five times in India as well as claiming his maiden Asian Tour victory.

"His game is well suited to team matchplay. He hits the ball a long way and makes a lot of birdies, which is what you need in this format. I am confident I will get the opportunity to partner Gaganjeet in the Royal Trophy, as Captain Ozaki seems to have shrewdly chosen his team with some ready-made pairings in mind.

"As well as choosing two Indian golfers, Captain Ozaki has named two most exciting young players from Japan and Thailand's two most popular and successful pair in Thongchai Jaidee and Prayad Marksaeng, a combination that proved unbeatable in the last Royal Trophy.

"And in Charlie Wi and Liang Wen-chong you have a pairing that also won both of their matches in the 2009 encounter, so the team has a very well-rounded, solid look to it.

"That is just as well, as we will need to be at our best, because there is no doubt the European players are eager for revenge after their 10-6 defeat at the 2009 Royal Trophy. As someone who plays regularly on the European Tour I know that defeat did not go down well, and they are sending a much stronger-looking team this time."

Bhullar modestly declared his selection had taken him completely by surprise, but he is determined to justify Captain Ozaki's faith in him.

He said: "This crowns a wonderful year for me. My ambition was to win my first Asian Tour title and to achieve that was very pleasing. And to finish it off by being selected to represent the whole of Asia in such a prestigious competition is something I could not have even dreamed of at the start of 2009."

Captain Ozaki says Bhullar's selection - alongside fellow 'young gun' Ishikawa – shows that Asian golf is ready to make an even bigger impact on the world game.

He explained: "It is good to see the future of the game here is in such good hands. These are the players who will form the backbone of future Asian Teams down the years. But it is also about the present - and I feel that this Asian Team will be very difficult to beat, especially with the large galleries willing us to win and retain the magnificent Royal Trophy."

The fourth edition of the Royal Trophy will take place on 8-10 January 2010 at the exclusive Amata Spring Country Club in Chonburi, Thailand. The Championship will feature a series of sixteen matches including the foursomes, four-ball and singles formats. The Principal Award for the winning Continent is stewardship of the perpetual solid-silver sixteen-kilogram Trophy, graciously donated by the world's longest reigning Monarch - His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand. Tickets for the Royal Trophy are available at Total Reservation. Please call +662-833-5555 or visit www.totalreservation.com for more information.

The Royal Trophy Premier and Major Sponsors include Heineken, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), PTT, Sports Authority of Thailand and Siam Commercial Bank. The Championship is also supported by Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and Chonburi Provincial Government. For further Tournament information, please call +662 651 9499 or visit the official website www.TheRoyalTrophy.com. The Royal Trophy is promoted by Entertainment Group Limited and Amen Corner S.A.

The Royal Trophy Media Release