SEVE BALLESTEROS is predicting early success for his European team over their Asian counterparts on the opening day of the Royal Trophy at the Amata Spring Country Club today.
The Spanish legend, who is aiming to retain the title his team won in the competition's inaugural year in 2006, believes his players can deliver a two-point advantage after the opening foursomes.
"Everybody's going to have a tough match but I'm confident Europe can end the day with a 3-1 lead," he said.
"Tomorrow we will be looking at the players, to see who is playing well and who is only playing so-so and that will determine how the team shapes up for the rest of the tournament."
Europe won the trophy on the course just outside Bangkok last year with a 9-7 result in the eight-man event and they have brought a stronger line-up to Thailand this time around.
There were few surprises in his foursome pairings with Darren Clarke and Lee Westwood - so successful in Europe's Ryder Cup success last September - opening up for Ballesteros' team.
The decision to place them in the pair in the first berth prompted Asian captain Joe Ozaki into a last-minute reshuffle, the Japanese golfer opting for South Korea's SK Ho and Toru Taniguchi.
"I was disappointed to lose the coin toss because I was hoping to put the Thai boys out first but I changed my mind at the last minute," said Ozaki.
The Thais - Thongchai Jaidee and Thaworn Wiratchant - now go off last and will meet Swedish pair Niclas Fasth and Robert Karlsson.
In the other foursomes, Asian number one Jeev Milkha Singh and Yang Yong-eun of South Korea take on Anthony Wall and Paul McGinley in the second match, while Johan Edfors and Henrik Stenson face off against Tetsuji Hiratsuka and Prom Meesawat.
Ballesteros is confident his team can repeat their win of 12 months ago with a side boasting five of those involved in Europe's landmark Ryder Cup over the United States at the K Club.
"We are stronger than last year - certainly younger," he said.
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