Colin Montgomerie will remain captain for Europe's defence of the Royal Trophy match play contest against Asia early next year, organizers said on Tuesday.
The Scotsman, who led the Europeans to victory in this year's Ryder Cup against the United States, will resume his role as player-captain when the contest against Asia moves to the Thai beach town of Hua Hin in January.
Montgomerie agreed to lead the side at the request of his friend and five-times major winner Seve Ballesteros, who founded the Royal Trophy five years ago and steered Europe to victory as captain in the first two editions.
This year's contest in Chonburi was a thriller and came down to the last stroke of the game, when Swede Henrik Stenson holed the winning put to earn the Europeans an 8 ½ - 7 ½ win after a fierce contest in the deciding singles.
"I'm certain we will face a strong Asian challenge but we will be prepared to play our best and to compete with great determination," Montgomerie said in a statement.
"I'll be retaining the role of captain and player of the European Team at the Royal Trophy. I enjoyed the dual role in the previous edition," he said.
Ballesteros is battling back to health after being diagnosed with a life-threatening brain tumour in 2008 and has undergone four operations and chemotherapy.
The 53-year-old Spaniard said he would stay in regular touch with the European team during the contest at the Black Mountain Golf Club, either by phone or in person.
"I need to continue to take care of my health and it will depend on the advice of my doctors," Ballesteros told Reuters in an e-mail.
"If I cannot be in Thailand for the tournament, I'll be following on television and I'll certainly be in very close contact with the captains and with our team on the ground."
He said the fifth edition would be a "remarkable encounter between a very confident Europe and a very determined Asia".
Naomichi "Joe" Ozaki will captain Asia for the fourth successive edition and has recalled Japanese sensation Ryo Ishikawa to his team.
Europe have won the Royal Trophy three times but suffered a surprise 10-6 defeat to Asia in 2009 under Jose Maria Olazabal. The fifth edition takes place from Jan. 7-9, 2011.