South Korea's Lee Dong-hwan and Frenchman Raphael Jacquelin have been called up to play in next year's Royal Trophy between Asia and Europe, organisers said.

Twenty-year-old Lee, who turned professional only a year ago, joins Naomichi "Joe" Ozaki's team after an impressive debut year on the Japan Tour, where he had two top three finishes, including victory in the Mizuno Open in only his eighth tournament.

"As the youngest player on the team I am very happy to have been selected," Lee said in a statement. "Being chosen to represent the whole of Asia is fantastic."

In this year's Royal Trophy, Asia were thrashed 12-1/2 to 3-1/2 by Europe. The inaugural edition in 2006 was a closer contest, with the Europeans winning by just two points.

Jacquelin is the eighth pick for Europe captain Seve Ballesteros and makes his debut in the competition having won the Asian Open in Shanghai earlier this year.

The Frenchman joins compatriot Gregory Havret, Denmark's Anders Hansen, Irishman Paul McGinley, Sweden's Robert Karlsson and Britons Lee Westwood, Graeme Storm and Darren Clarke on the European team.

"It is a big thrill to be representing Europe alongside players of that calibre and of course I am looking forward to returning to Asia and being reminded of my win earlier this year," Jacquelin said.

The Asian team includes South Korea's Charlie Wi, Thai trio Thongchai Jaidee, Prayad Marksaeng and Chapchai Nirat, Japanese pair Toru Taniguchi and Hideto Tanihara and India's Jeev Milkha Singh.

The matchplay event takes places from Jan. 11-13 at Chon Buri, east of Bangkok.

Reuters