Scottish golf ace Colin Montgomerie has been added to the star-studded field for the forthcoming Ballantine’s Championship in Korea.  The most prolific British winner on the European Tour, with an astonishing 31 titles, Montgomerie will tee it up in the €2.1 million showpiece at Pinx Golf Club on Jeju Island, from 23-26 April 2009.

‘Monty’ has won the European Tour Order of Merit title a record eight times and has enjoyed plenty of success in Asia with tournament victories in mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau.  His elevated status in golf was underlined last week when he was named Captain of the European team for the Ryder Cup in 2010.

“I've always enjoyed playing in Asia and have been fortunate enough to win there several times, so I'm very happy to be returning to the region for the Ballantine's Championship,” Montgomerie commented. “I’ve heard fantastic reports about the inaugural tournament – the course, organisation and hospitality were all outstanding, I’m told – and I’m looking forward to being a part of it this year. 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. 

“Of course, it is very early days to be talking about potential Ryder Cup team members, but the Ballantine’s Championship will be a welcome chance for me to see first hand those European Tour players who will be eligible for the 2010 competition,” he concluded. 

Montgomerie joins a line-up that already includes three time Major winner Ernie Els, world No 6 Henrik Stenson and world No 12 Lee Westwood.  Northern Irishman Graeme McDowell returns to Pinx Golf Club as defending champion, having won last year’s inaugural Ballantine’s Championship in dramatic fashion, by edging out India’s Jeev Milkha Singh on the third extra hole.

Ballantine’s, the No 1 Scotch whisky range (17 Years and older) in Asia Pacific*, is title sponsor of the tournament for a minimum of three years.  The Championship is co-sanctioned by the European and Asian Tours and Korea PGA