Kapur, Howell complete Trophy line-up

Kapur, Howell complete Trophy line-up

India's Shiv Kapur and England's David Howell have completed the line-ups for next month's Royal Trophy between Asia and holders Europe, organisers have announced.

Kapur's selection for Naomichi 'Joe' Ozaki's team comes after his debut year on the European Tour. He spent the first two seasons of his career on the Asian Tour after turning professional in 2004.

The 25-year-old player makes his debut in the Royal Trophy matchplay event against the Europeans, who triumphed by just two points in 2006 but returned a year later with a far stronger team to thrash Asia 12-1/2 to 3-1/2.

Howell, a former winner of the Dubai Desert Classic, the Champions Tournament in Shanghai and the European PGA Championship, returns to Seve Ballesteros's team having played in the first edition in 2006.

The contest will take place from January 11-13 in Chon Buri province, east of Bangkok, at the Amata Springs Country Club, and will feature fourballs, foursomes and singles competitions.

Teams:

Europe: Raphael Jacquelin (France), Gregory Havret (France), Anders Hansen (Denmark), Paul McGinley (Ireland), Robert Karlsson (Sweden), Lee Westwood (England), Graeme Storm (England), Darren Clarke (Northern Ireland) David Howell (England).

Asia: Charlie Wi (South Korea), Thongchai Jaidee (Thailand), Prayad Marksaeng (Thailand), Chapchai Nirat (Thailand), Toru Taniguchi (Japan), Hideto Tanihara (Japan), Jeev Milkha Singh (India), Lee Dong-Hwan (South Korea), Shiv Kapur (India).

reference: "eurosport"

Donald set for Qatar Masters

Donald set for Qatar Masters

World number 17 Luke Donald has decided to compete in next month's Qatar Masters which offers a record purse of $2.5 million (£1.25 million).

The 30-year-old Briton will join world number seven Adam Scott, number 12 Sergio Garcia and holder Retief Goosen in the chase for the first prize of $416,660 (£208,330) in Doha from January 24-27.

"When we look at the progress of golf in Qatar, it's hard to believe we've come so far in such a short space of time," Qatar Golf Association chairman Hassan Al Nuami said.

"Over the years we've welcomed some great players to Doha but with a field including Sergio Garcia, Retief Goosen, Adam Scott and now Luke Donald, as well as record prize money of $2.5 million, we are looking at pushing the bar even higher in 2008."

Next month's tournament will be the 11th edition of the European Tour event.

It also represents part two of the tour's three-week 'Gulf Swing', sandwiched between the Abu Dhabi Championship and the Dubai Desert Classic.

reference: "eurosport"