Young Guns & Global Competion at The Royal Trophy

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The Royal Trophy is currently underway at Black Mountain Golf Club in Hua Hin, Thailand.  With some of golf's most promising young stars in the mix, crowds have reportedly been large and enthusiastic, with local girls cheering both teams on, and... according to Roger Crutchley's report in the Bangkok Post... numerous female fans from Japan dressed to the nine.

The Royal Trophy is an annual event that features competing teams representing Europe and Asia.  A first round grouping that included Ryo Ishikawa and Matteo Manassero was stalked followed... not surprisingly... by swarms of paparazzi, gaggles of groupies and fans from dozens of different countries.

Ishikawa, playing with Shunsuke Sononda won that match over Manassero and his partner Pablo Martin.

Ample excitement was also provided by player-captain Colin Montgomerie who teamed with Welshman Rhys Davies and by China's biggest star Liang Wenchong playing with another rapidly rising young star, Noh Seung-yul of Korea.

The two teams are even right now.   Needless to say, the weekend promises to be exciting. Special thanks to ever-observant Ryo-watcher, Yamada Noriko, who faithfully keeps me up-to-date with one of my favorite players. BTW,  it seems the whimsical Mr. Ishikawa will be state-side in February to play in several events leading up to the Masters, which is definitely something to look forward to.  I'm sure Noriko would agree with me when I say, there's no such thing as too much Ryo.

Photos: 

Royal Trophy Fans: Athit Perawongmetha/Getty Images AsiaPac

Ishikawa-Manasero: via / hochi.yomiuri.co.jp