McDowell relieved as Europe hang on
Europe won the inaugural competition 9-7 after leading 6-2 following Saturday's foursome and fourball matches.
Warned beforehand by captain Seve Ballesteros that he would not tolerate over-confidence, the visitors did their best to make a seemingly one-sided contest competitive again in yesterday's singles.
Needing just two and a half points for victory, Europe lost five of the eight singles matches as Asia seized the initiative at a hot but blustery Amata Spring Country Club.
Ultimately though, Europe's good work on Saturday could not be undone as first Paul McGinley then McDowell and finally Henrik Stenson ensured the team stumbled across the finishing line.
McDowell, who at one stage dropped from three up to all square against India's Jyoti Randhawa, underlined just how fine the Europeans had cut it.
"I spoke to Seve as I came off the ninth and I had just lost two holes on the bounce to go back to one up," he said.
"Seve said things weren't looking too great on the golf course. I realised my match would be important and every point we put on the board was going to be big but I didn't realise how close it was going to be in the end."
After McGinley and McDowell had won, it was Stenson who ensured victory after his opponent, local hero Thongchai Jaidee, bogeyed the 13th to guarantee the Swede could halve his match at worst.
The 29-year-old said: "I turned it around on the 11th, 12th and 13th and won three straight holes there so it was done and dusted with five holes to go. That certainly took some of the pressure off."
Ballesteros was relieved to have led his side to victory, completing the hat-trick of Ryder Cup, Seve Trophy and now Royal Trophy as captain.
Asia captain Masahiro Kuramoto said the gallant losers had done themselves proud in a competition where they were underdogs from the outset.
"If we'd had another day, we could have won this. We proved today that we could compete and I believe these players can win the next event."
Whether that takes place next year or in 2008 is still up in the air, although a preliminary agreement is in place to hold the event in Thailand for the next five editions.
The tournament was Ballesteros' brainchild and the Spaniard took heart from the healthy crowds, married to a gripping final day of competition.
"This event is just the start and I think we are making history here. I am looking forward to coming back and defending the title with my team."
