Colin Montgomerie.(Parallel Media Group)

Living legend Colin Montgomerie has been added to the star-studded field for the forthcoming Ballantine’s Championship in Korea.

The Scottish ace – the most prolific British winner on the European Tour with an astonishing 31 titles – will tee it up in the €2.1 million showpiece at Pinx Golf Club on Jeju island from April 23-26.

“Monty” has won the European Tour Order of Merit title a record eight times and has also enjoyed plenty of success in Asia with tournament victories in mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau. He played in last November’s UBS Hong Kong Open at the Hong Kong Golf Club, Fanling, where he finished 15th, and the following week represented Scotland with playing partner Alastair Forsyth at Mission Hills Golf Club, Shenzhen, for the Omega Golf World Cup. The Scots, holders of the trophy, finished in a tie for 19th place.

Montgomerie’s status in golf was underlined recently, and his reputation further enhanced, when he was named captain of the European team for next year’s Ryder Cup, to be played at the Celtic Manor club in Wales.

“I've always enjoyed playing in Asia and have been fortunate enough to win there several times, so I'm very pleased to be returning to the region for the Ballantine's Championship,” he said.

“I’ve heard fantastic reports about the inaugural tournament – I'm told the course, organisation and hospitality were all outstanding – so I am very much looking forward to experiencing it all myself at this year's event.

“I know Ballantine’s and the organisers are assembling a world-class field, so it promises to be a fantastic week at Pinx Golf Club.”

Montgomerie joins a line-up that already includes three-time Major winner Ernie Els, world No.6 Henrik Stenson, world No.12 Lee Westwood, defending champion Graeme McDowell and former Masters champion Fred Couples.

Pinx was also the venue for last year’s inaugural Ballantine’s Championship, when Northern Ireland’s McDowell triumphed in dramatic fashion by edging out India’s Jeev Milkha Singh on the third extra hole.

Ballantine’s will be headline sponsor for the tournament – which is co-sanctioned by the European and Asian Tours and Korea PGA – for a minimum of three years.

Two Up Front Agency

(China.org.cn Feburary 11, 2009)