Europe take Royal Trophy in gripping finish

Colin Montgomerie received the perfect tonic ahead of this year's Ryder Cup as his European team edged a thrilling final day's singles against Asia to reclaim the Royal Trophy.

After falling behind on the opening day of the tournament, Europe battled back in yesterday's four-balls to lead 4½ - 3½ heading into today.

A determined Asia battled hard at the Amata Spring Country Club and threatened to force a first-ever play-off at the tournament as they trailed by just one point with one match remaining.

But, after Thailand's Thongchai Jaidee bogeyed the last, Swede Henrik Stenson kept his cool to make par from six feet to halve the match and secure a 8½ - 7½ win for Europe.

"I said at the start of the week the competition would be close," said captain Montgomerie, who for the first time in the tournament's history included himself as a player.

"It was fitting that in the fourth edition of the tournament it came down to the last match, last green and last putt."