Defending Royal Trophy champion Asia has retained five players from the team that recorded a surprise triumph over Europe for the fourth edition of the Ryder Cup-style matchplay event. Naomichi “Joe” Ozaki captains the side for the third time and has kept faith in Ryo Ishikawa, Charlie Wi, Liang Wenchong and Thai pair Prayad Marksaeng and Thongchai Jaidee, who were unbeaten in January's 10-6 victory over twice winners Europe. India's Jeev Milkha Singh returns to the team announced Thursday after missing the last edition, joining compatriot Gaganjeet Bhullar and Japan's Koumei Oda, who will be making their first appearance in the event held in Thailand. The three-day event featuring foursomes, fourballs and singles competitions will run from Jan. 8-10 at the Amata Spring Country Club in Chonburi, east of Bangkok. Europe named its eight-man team on Wednesday. India to stage Euro event India will host a new European Tour event in February, the Avantha Masters in New Delhi worth 1.5 million euros ($2.15 million). It will be the first tournament of a joint venture between the European Tour and the Asian Tour, to be known as EurAsia Golf. The Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) is the other partner in the tri-sanctioned event. “We are delighted to be returning to New Delhi ... for the first event in our new collaboration with the Asian Tour, under the EurAsia banner, and the PGTI,” European Tour chief executive George O'Grady said in a news release Tuesday. O'Grady added that a three-year deal had been agreed for the Avantha Masters. The European Tour paid two visits to New Delhi in February 2008, for the Indian Masters and the Johnnie Walker Classic. Both events were also tri-sanctioned with the Asian Tour and PGTI. The Avantha Masters will be played at the Arnold Palmer-designed DLF Golf and Country Club from Feb. 11
