For the first time, there was no playoff at the Ballantine’s Championship, but the €2.2 million showpiece still produced an unforgettable finale.

Marcus Fraser, a player who almost gave up the game three years ago because he was in such a slump, surprised everyone – including himself – with an incredible wire-to-wire victory.

The unheralded Australian, 31, left a world-class field, including household names such as Ernie Els, Anthony Kim and Henrik Stenson, in his wake with a stunning display at Pinx Golf Club on the Korean holiday island of Jeju.

Fraser’s victory last Sunday was all the more poignant given the difficulties he had endured since his only previous European Tour win at the BMW Russian Open seven years before.

“Probably three years ago, I thought about giving it away, just because I was playing terrible,” he admitted. “My golf swing wasn’t improving and nothing was getting any better. I thought I was wasting my time and you really start to question yourself, whether you think that you should be out here or whether you deserve to be out here.

“Luckily, I went back and saw my old coach who I used to see when I was an amateur, and we got things moving in the right direction. So it’s been a lot of hard work over the last couple of years to get back to this position.”

The inaugural Ballantine’s Championship in 2008 saw Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell edge out Jeev Milkha Singh of India on the third extra hole. Last year it was Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee who emerged triumphant when he birdied the first hole of a three-way playoff.

In contrast, Fraser’s victory was all but assured as he cruised down the back nine with a comfortable lead and wound up winning by four strokes – but it was no less dramatic.

“That’s the beauty of golf, every tournament invariably produces a great story,” said Martin Capstick, managing director of tournament promoter Parallel Media Group. “This year, the Ballantine’s Championship was about a player making an incredible comeback from the depths of despair and landing the biggest title of his career.

“Marcus was a deserving and popular winner in what was a hugely successful tournament. We saw some spectacular golf, fans attended in record numbers and, after the fog delay on the first day, the weather for the most part was glorious.

“The task, as always, will be to build on this and make the 2011 Ballantine’s Championship even bigger and better.”

The suspension of play for six hours on the first day led organisers to reduce the tournament to 54 holes. They thought it unlikely that four rounds could be completed by Sunday evening, while extending the tournament to Monday was not a viable option because of the air travel logjam caused by the volcanic dust cloud over Europe.

World No.7 Els said they made the right decision. “We’re a long way from our next event [the Open de España in Spain] so if they did push it [try to fit in four rounds] and we did get bad weather it would have been a real mess,” he said. “As we know, the volcanic ash didn’t help. They did the right thing.”

Ballantine’s, which has already announced it is extending its title sponsorship of the event by three years through to 2013, hailed another memorable tournament.

“Ballantine’s is absolutely delighted with the success of the third Ballantine’s Championship at the stunning Pinx Golf Club in Jeju,” said Peter Moore, Global Brand Director, Ballantine’s.

“We’d like to congratulate Marcus Fraser, whose style and flair left a real impression and led him to a well deserved victory. He stood out among some of the top players in the world and fought off some exciting Korean stars – a talent pool that just keeps getting stronger and stronger.

“Ballantine’s is now firmly established as a world class golf sponsor and we are proud to continue our long-term investment in the sport. Thank you to the European Tour, Asian Tour, KPGA and the players, partners and friends who made the 2010 Ballantine’s Championship our best yet.”

About Ballantine’s

Korea’s favourite Scotch, Ballantine’s, is also the No.1 Scotch whisky range across the Asia Pacific region (17 years old and above – IWSR) and the No.2 Scotch whisky brand in the world. Ballantine’s has won over 60 trophies and medals at international competitions in the past 10 years for quality, as a result of its unique richness of character and perfect balance. The range, from Ballantine’s Finest to the iconic 30 Year Old, is the most extensive in the world and is maintained by the latest in a tradition of master blenders that dates back to 1827.

Ballantine’s is the title sponsor of the Ballantine’s Championship and an official sponsor of both the Omega Mission Hills World Cup in China and the Barclay’s Scottish Open held in Loch Lomond, Scotland.

-- ENDS --

Released on behalf of the Ballantine’s Championship by Two Up Front – Asia’s sports PR specialists.

Marcus Fraser stayed calm amid the blustery conditions at the Ballantine’s Championship on Sunday to claim the biggest title of his career.

The 31-year-old Australian carded a three-under-par 69 at Pinx Golf Club on the Korean holiday island of Jeju to win the €2.2 million showpiece by four strokes.

Fraser remained clear of the chasing pack – which included world No.7 Ernie Els – and kept his composure on the back nine to become the first wire-to-wire winner on the European Tour this year.

He finished on 12-under 204 for the tournament, which was reduced to 54 holes after play was held up for six hours on the first day due to fog.

Australia’s Brett Rumford (71) and Northern Ireland’s Gareth Maybin (72) were second on eight-under.

Fraser’s only previous European Tour success came seven years ago at the BMW Russian Open, a dual ranking event with the Challenge Tour, and he admitted it had been a long and frustrating wait for his next win.

“Unbelievable, I can’t describe it,” said an emotional Fraser. “I just don’t know how I did that today. I’ve had so many chances to win in the last seven years, so to go out there and play like I did today and this week, it’s a big relief.”

Fraser, who collected the winner’s cheque for €367,500, admitted leading from the first day of the Ballantine’s Championship had increased the pressure.

“I don’t know if I have anything left in me to go a fourth round, but I don’t care,” he said. “I’ve worked very hard the last few years to be in a position where I should be winning golf tournaments, so it’s a huge reward.”

Fraser had dropped only one shot in the tournament before playing safe and laying up at the par-four 18th, where he tapped in for a bogey.

“At no point did I think I had it. I knew roughly what was going on but never got ahead of myself,” he said. “And on the last I just concentrated on getting on the fairway, and there was no way I was going to risk going for the green from there.”

Since his 2003 victory, Fraser’s best performance had been finishing runner-up in the Australian Masters at the start of the 2009 season. Until the Ballantine’s Championship, his best finish this season was joint 11th at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic.

Rumford, meanwhile, was happy with his week’s work. “I just missed a truckload of putts early today, and in rounds one and two, so I’ll be working on my putting for the upcoming tournaments,” he said.

“But it was really tough out there, any missed shots and the wind was really throwing the ball about. Even so, I’m really happy for Marcus, it’s his second win on tour and no one is more deserving. He’s a great guy.”

Maybin also struggled on the greens. “I missed a couple of short putts, so I’ll go back and work on that,” he said. “But it’s been a pretty good week. I didn’t come in here with a whole lot of form, so to finish second is a great result any time.”

Teenager Noh Seung Yul flew the flag for Korea with a sparkling 68 to finish equal fourth on seven-under with England’s Oliver Fisher, who carded a 71.

Defending champion Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand, who started the day just one shot behind Fraser, returned a disappointing 75 to finish equal 10th on five-under.

Three-time Major winner Els also finished on five-under after a difficult day. The South African superstar started the final round just two shots off the pace but, after closing the gap to one early in his round, fell away on the back nine and returned a 74.

The Ballantine’s Championship was once again co-sanctioned by the European Tour, Asian Tour and Korea PGA.

About Ballantine’s

Korea’s favourite Scotch, Ballantine’s, is also the No.1 Scotch whisky range across the Asia Pacific region (17 years old and above – IWSR) and the No.2 Scotch whisky brand in the world. Ballantine’s has won over 60 trophies and medals at international competitions in the past 10 years for quality, as a result of its unique richness of character and perfect balance. The range, from Ballantine’s Finest to the iconic 30 Year Old, is the most extensive in the world and is maintained by the latest in a tradition of master blenders that dates back to 1827.

Ballantine’s is the title sponsor of the Ballantine’s Championship and an official sponsor of both the Omega Mission Hills World Cup in China and the Barclay’s Scottish Open held in Loch Lomond, Scotland.

-- ENDS --

Released on behalf of the Ballantine’s Championship by Two Up Front – Asia’s sports PR specialists.

Marcus Fraser will face a test of temperament on Sunday at the Ballantine’s Championship as he goes in search of the biggest victory of his career.

The Australian takes a one-shot lead into the final round of the €2.2 million event with a chasing pack – including world No.7 Ernie Els – breathing down his neck.

Fraser compiled a composed two-under-par 70 at Pinx Golf Club on the Korean holiday island of Jeju on Saturday to reach nine-under 135.

The tournament has been reduced to 54 holes after play was held up for six hours on the first day due to fog.

Northern Ireland’s Gareth Maybin returned a second successive 68 to stand one shot back on eight-under.

Also on eight-under are Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee, the defending champion, and Tano Goya of Argentina, who both had Saturday off after completing their second rounds on Friday.

Players had to cope with Jeju’s famous blustery conditions once again on Saturday and Fraser was pleased with his effort.

“I played really well,” he said. “I made a couple of good birdies towards the end of the round, but it was very tough conditions out there so I think two-under was a pretty good score.

“It was just so gusty. It was windy most of the day but a couple of times it dropped and then came back, so it was hard to judge shots coming into the green.”

Fraser’s best finish this season was joint 11th at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic. His lone European Tour win came seven years ago at the BMW Russian Open.

On his prospects for the final round, he said: “I’ve got to go out there, give it my best shot and just keep playing well. If the outcome works in my favour, so be it.”

Maybin, who is searching for his first European Tour victory, has dropped just one shot in the first two rounds. “I played pretty solidly,” he said. “It was pretty blustery out there, so all in all, I’m very happy just to drop one shot.

“Tee to green I’ve been solid and when I have missed a green my short game has been pretty good. All in all, I’m looking forward to tomorrow.”

Three players were grouped on seven-under including South African superstar Els, who shot a 69 on Saturday. Also on seven-under were Korea’s Ted Oh (70) and Brett Rumford of Australia, who completed his second round on Friday.

Oh flew the flag for the home nation and delighted the galleries with a round highlighted by an eagle on the par-five fourth. “I’m happy with 70, but I made a couple of silly mistakes on the back nine, so I’m kind of disappointed that way,” he said.

Asked about his plan for the final day the California-based Oh, who has yet to win a title since turning professional 11 years ago, said he would just concentrate on his own game.

“I made a couple of mistakes in the past, so I’m just going to go out tomorrow and play my game. I’m not going to look at the leaderboard that much and try to chase it.”

Two players were in joint eighth place on six-under – Singaporean Mardan Mamat and England’s Oliver Fisher, who both shot 70.

Six-time European Tour winner Henrik Stenson remains in contention – the Swede returned a 70 to stand four strokes off the pace.

PGA Tour star Anthony Kim fell down the leaderboard with a two-over 74 that dropped him to two-under – seven shots behind Fraser.

The Ballantine’s Championship is once again co-sanctioned by the European Tour, Asian Tour and Korea PGA.

About Ballantine’s

Korea’s favourite Scotch, Ballantine’s, is also the No.1 Scotch whisky range across the Asia Pacific region (17 years old and above – IWSR) and the No.2 Scotch whisky brand in the world. Ballantine’s has won over 60 trophies and medals at international competitions in the past 10 years for quality, as a result of its unique richness of character and perfect balance. The range, from Ballantine’s Finest to the iconic 30 Year Old, is the most extensive in the world and is maintained by the latest in a tradition of master blenders that dates back to 1827.

Ballantine’s is the title sponsor of the Ballantine’s Championship and an official sponsor of both the Omega Mission Hills World Cup in China and the Barclay’s Scottish Open held in Loch Lomond, Scotland.

-- ENDS --

Released on behalf of the Ballantine’s Championship by Two Up Front – Asia’s sports PR specialists.

Superstar Ernie Els is hoping the wind will keep blowing at the Ballantine’s Championship as he chases his third title of the year.

The world No.7 heads into the final round of the €2.2 million showpiece at Pinx Golf Club in Jeju, Korea, just two shots behind leader Marcus Fraser of Australia.

Els compiled a three-under-par 69 in blustery conditions on Saturday and said he could have shot even lower.

“It could have been a lot better,” insisted the South African. “I missed a lot of putts out there but I played pretty solidly. I had one three-putt and a lot of birdie misses. I’m playing nicely, so I’ve got half a chance tomorrow.”

Jeju’s famous blustery conditions made life difficult for the players on Saturday and Els said he was hoping for more of the same.

“I’d like to see it tough tomorrow, because even today, if I had made some putts, I could have shot somewhere in the middle 60s,” he said.

“So I like the conditions the way they are. I’d like to see it tough, otherwise there are too many guys in it.”

The tournament – co-sanctioned by the European Tour, Asian Tour and Korea PGA – has been reduced to 54 holes after play was held up for six hours on the first day due to fog.

Fraser, who shot 70 on Saturday to reach nine-under 135, leads by one shot from Northern Ireland’s Gareth Maybin, defending champion Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand and Argentina’s Tano Goya.

Three-time Major winner Els is on seven-under with Korean Ted Oh and Brett Rumford of Australia.

Els – winner of the WGC-CA Championship and Arnold Palmer Invitational on the PGA Tour last month – said he was looking forward to the final round.

“Obviously, I’ve got to get off to a good start,” he said. “I’ve got to really play the par fives well, hopefully make some birdies, maybe eagles. I need a low one, so hopefully I’ll play well.”

About Ballantine’s

Korea’s favourite Scotch, Ballantine’s, is also the No.1 Scotch whisky range across the Asia Pacific region (17 years old and above – IWSR) and the No.2 Scotch whisky brand in the world. Ballantine’s has won over 60 trophies and medals at international competitions in the past 10 years for quality, as a result of its unique richness of character and perfect balance. The range, from Ballantine’s Finest to the iconic 30 Year Old, is the most extensive in the world and is maintained by the latest in a tradition of master blenders that dates back to 1827.

Ballantine’s is the title sponsor of the Ballantine’s Championship and an official sponsor of both the Omega Mission Hills World Cup in China and the Barclay’s Scottish Open held in Loch Lomond, Scotland.

-- ENDS --

Released on behalf of the Ballantine’s Championship by Two Up Front – Asia’s sports PR specialists.

Thongchai Jaidee is in prime position to successfully defend his Ballantine’s Championship title after soaring to the top of the leaderboard on Friday.

The Thai ace played a marathon 35 holes in the weather-delayed event at Pinx Golf Club on the Korean island of Jeju, posting rounds of 69 and 67 to reach eight-under-par 136.

That gave him a share of the lead with Argentina’s Tano Goya, who followed up an opening 66 with a second round 70.

At the same time, organisers announced that following Thursday’s six-hour fog interruption the €2.2 million event would be reduced to 54 holes in order to ensure a Sunday finish.

The revised schedule means half the field will play their second rounds on Saturday, after which the cut will be made, paving the way for a final round shootout on Sunday.

Thongchai, who managed only one hole on Thursday before play was halted, was tired but happy after a long day in blustery conditions.

“I played very well today, both rounds,” he said. “My putting is working this week and also my irons are good. This course is tough to play when it’s windy. It was a very strong wind all day and gusting in the afternoon.”

Thongchai battled through similar conditions in last year’s Ballantine’s Championship before triumphing in a three-way playoff and he said that experience helped him this time around.

“I had a good game plan like last year. Keep it on the fairway, make sure you get on the green and, if your putting is good, you can have a low score.”

Thongchai said he would enjoy his Saturday off before Sunday’s final round. “After 35 holes today, I’m very tired,” he admitted. “Tomorrow I’ll come back and practice a little bit, maybe hit on the driving range and try to feel good and ready for Sunday.”

Goya similarly put in a long stint on Friday, playing 34 holes. “I knew it was going to be very tough today,” he said. “I think my putting was the key. I missed a lot of greens because it was so windy and I saved a lot with the putts.

“I focused on trying to play hole by hole, shot by shot, and trying not to complain. I just had to focus,” added Goya, who collected his maiden European Tour title at the Madeira Islands Open last year.

Thongchai and Goya lead by one stroke from Australian duo Brett Rumford, who carded 67-70 to stand at seven-under, and Marcus Fraser, who returned a 65 on Thursday and will play his second round on Saturday. England’s Mark Foster (66 in the first round) is two strokes behind the leaders.

Five players are grouped on five-under – Sweden’s Johan Edfors (68-71), Dutchman Robert-Jan Derksen (71-68), and a trio who opened with 67s, Rhys Davies of Wales, Robert Rock of England and Korea’s Ted Oh.

Also playing their second rounds on Saturday will be PGA Tour star Anthony Kim and three-time Major winner Ernie Els, who will both begin four shots off the pace after returning opening 68s on Thursday.

Six-time European Tour winner Henrik Stenson is still in contention after an opening 69.

Meanwhile, co-tournament director John Paramor explained the reasoning behind the decision to reduce the tournament to 54 holes.

“Following the delays to the first round and after reviewing the amount of golf completed yesterday [Thursday], it’s become clear that the completion of 72 holes within the required time frame isn’t feasible,” he said.

“Therefore, the decision has been taken to cut down to 54 holes. It’s unfortunate, but we feel it’s the best thing for the Ballantine’s Championship and all of the players who are playing in it.”

Paramor confirmed that extending the tournament to Monday was not a viable option because of the air travel logjam caused by the volcanic dust cloud over Europe.

“Everybody has heard about the problems for passengers who lose their original bookings and have their flights cancelled,” he said. “It would be a disaster for some of these players if they were unable to get home.”

The Ballantine’s Championship is once again co-sanctioned by the European Tour, Asian Tour and Korea PGA.

About Ballantine’s

Korea’s favourite Scotch, Ballantine’s, is also the No.1 Scotch whisky range across the Asia Pacific region (17 years old and above – IWSR) and the No.2 Scotch whisky brand in the world. Ballantine’s has won over 60 trophies and medals at international competitions in the past 10 years for quality, as a result of its unique richness of character and perfect balance. The range, from Ballantine’s Finest to the iconic 30 Year Old, is the most extensive in the world and is maintained by the latest in a tradition of master blenders that dates back to 1827.

Ballantine’s is the title sponsor of the Ballantine’s Championship and an official sponsor of both the Omega Mission Hills World Cup in China and the Barclay’s Scottish Open held in Loch Lomond, Scotland.

-- ENDS --

Released on behalf of the Ballantine’s Championship by Two Up Front – Asia’s sports PR specialists.

Tano Goya of Argentina moved into contention at the Ballantine’s Championship in Korea as the weather-delayed first round was completed on Friday.

Goya carded a six-under-par 66 at Pinx Golf Club on the island of Jeju to lie one stroke behind pacesetter Marcus Fraser of Australia.

At the same time, organisers announced that following Thursday’s six-hour fog interruption the €2.2 million event would be reduced to 54 holes in order to ensure a Sunday finish.

Goya, who completed just two holes on Thursday before resuming on Friday morning, was pleased with his opening effort.

“It was a tough day because we started early and it was cold and windy,” he said. “I was three under after four holes but hit a bad shot on No.5. It’s a tough par three and I made bogey there.

“But after that I started to play really good. I think the key today was putting, I holed a long one on 17 and 18 as well. So I’m happy because it was a really good round.”

Goya collected his maiden European Tour title at the Madeira Islands Open last year. His best finish so far this season was joint 23rd at last week’s China Open.

His 66 on Friday gave him a share of second place with England’s Mark Foster who, like Fraser (65), completed his first round on Thursday.

Welshman Rhys Davies, Robert Rock of England and Australia’s Brett Rumford all returned five-under 67s on Friday for a share of fourth place with Korea’s Ted Oh.

A group of 12 players were on four-under including PGA Tour star Anthony Kim and three-time Major winner Ernie Els, who both finished their first rounds on Thursday.

Meanwhile, co-tournament director John Paramor explained the reasoning behind the decision to reduce the tournament to 54 holes.

“Following the delays to the first round and after reviewing the amount of golf completed yesterday [Thursday], it’s become clear that the completion of 72 holes within the required time frame isn’t feasible,” he said.

“Therefore, the decision has been taken to cut down to 54 holes. It’s unfortunate, but we feel it’s the best thing for the Ballantine’s Championship and all of the players who are playing in it.”

Paramor confirmed that extending the tournament to Monday was not a viable option because of the air travel logjam caused by the volcanic dust cloud over Europe.

“Everybody has heard about the problems for passengers who lose their original bookings and have their flights cancelled,” he said. “It would be a disaster for some of these players if they were unable to get home.”

The revised schedule means organisers plan to have the first two rounds completed by Saturday evening, when the cut will be made, paving the way for a final round shootout on Sunday.

The Ballantine’s Championship is once again co-sanctioned by the European Tour, Asian Tour and Korea PGA.

About Ballantine’s

Korea’s favourite Scotch, Ballantine’s, is also the No.1 Scotch whisky range across the Asia Pacific region (17 years old and above – IWSR) and the No.2 Scotch whisky brand in the world. Ballantine’s has won over 60 trophies and medals at international competitions in the past 10 years for quality, as a result of its unique richness of character and perfect balance. The range, from Ballantine’s Finest to the iconic 30 Year Old, is the most extensive in the world and is maintained by the latest in a tradition of  master blenders that dates back to 1827.

Ballantine’s is the title sponsor of the Ballantine’s Championship and an official sponsor of both the Omega Mission Hills World Cup in China and the Barclay’s Scottish Open held in Loch Lomond, Scotland.

-- ENDS --

Released on behalf of the Ballantine’s Championship by Two Up Front – Asia’s sports PR specialists.

Marcus Fraser set the clubhouse lead at the Ballantine’s Championship in Korea on Thursday after the first round was interrupted by fog.

The Australian carded a seven-under-par 65 to lead by one stroke from playing partner Mark Foster in the €2.2 million event at Pinx Golf Club on the island of Jeju.

When play finished for the day, only 36 players had completed the first round.

Just a few holes were possible in the morning before play was suspended for more than six hours as fog shrouded the course. When it resumed, Fraser was quickly into his stride and tamed Pinx’s par-72 layout with an impressive bogey-free display.

“I’m very pleased,” he said. “I feel like I drove it very well and putted really well. I gave myself a lot of chances on the greens and managed to make a few birdies.

“I made a long putt for birdie on No.8, holed it from about 35 feet, and that kept the round going. I managed to get a few more throughout the round.”

Fraser’s best finish this season was joint 11th at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic. His lone European Tour win came seven years ago at the BMW Russian Open.

He said playing with Foster had brought out the best in both of them. “Mark got off to a great start so I just tried to keep up. We sort of kept managing to pull each other along.”

Englishman Foster carded a six-under 66 to lie in second place while Ted Oh flew the flag for Korea with a 67 and was joined on five-under by Australia’s Rick Kulacz (who completed 17 holes) and Welshman Jamie Donaldson (16 holes).

Of the tournament’s big guns, PGA Tour star Anthony Kim and three-time Major winner Ernie Els both carded four-under 68s.

Kim, who started on the 10th, birdied the par-five ninth to cap a good day’s work. “I stayed patient and I’m happy with how I played, I just didn’t score very well,” he said.

“It’s going to be a long day tomorrow for the guys in front of us and we’re just going to hang in there and wait until we can go play some golf.

“The greens were very slow today. My last tournament was the Masters, so the greens were very fast there and here it’s slow. So it’s a little bit of an adjustment but hopefully I can do better tomorrow.”

Els had five birdies against a lone bogey and was pleased with his opening effort. “I’m happy to get it done, it was a long day,” said the world No.7. “Tomorrow, if there’s no wind like now, you can really attack the golf course, so all depends on the weather.”

Other stars at the Ballantine’s Championship include Asia’s first Major champion YE Yang and six-time European Tour winner Henrik Stenson.

The tournament is once again co-sanctioned by the European Tour, Asian Tour and Korea PGA.

About Ballantine’s

Korea’s favourite Scotch, Ballantine’s, is also the No.1 Scotch whisky range across the Asia Pacific region (17 years old and above – IWSR) and the No.2 Scotch whisky brand in the world. Ballantine’s has won over 60 trophies and medals at international competitions in the past 10 years for quality, as a result of its unique richness of character and perfect balance. The range, from Ballantine’s Finest to the iconic 30 Year Old, is the most extensive in the world and is maintained by the latest in a tradition of master blenders that dates back to 1827.

Ballantine’s is the title sponsor of the Ballantine’s Championship and an official sponsor of both the Omega Mission Hills World Cup in China and the Barclay’s Scottish Open held in Loch Lomond, Scotland.

-- ENDS --

Released on behalf of the Ballantine’s Championship by Two Up Front – Asia’s sports PR specialists.

After a week off, Ernie Els is refreshed and raring to go at the Ballantine’s Championship in Korea.

The world No.7 chose to spend a few days relaxing at the family home in West Palm Beach, Florida, after playing in the Masters two weeks ago and says he can feel the benefit.

“I didn’t do anything,” he revealed. “I went home Sunday night after the Masters and I was home all week. The weather was great, I was in the pool with the kids, did the school run in the morning and afternoon.

“I didn’t touch a club until I came here on Monday. I did a company day Monday, I practised yesterday and played today [Wednesday]. So I feel ready to go now.”

The South African superstar returned to his best form in March with wins at the WGC-CA Championship and Arnold Palmer Invitational to take his career total of PGA Tour victories to 18.

“Obviously, I’ve had a pretty good start to the season. I’ve played mostly in the US, I haven’t travelled too much this year, and I think it’s helped my game,” he reflected.

“The win in Miami [the WGC-CA Championship] was big for me, I got a lot of confidence back, and then Bay Hill [the Arnold Palmer Invitational] was a run-on from that.

“Maybe I should have taken the week off before the Masters as I was a bit jaded there, but I still had a top 20.

“My reason for playing so much was to try and get form in March, and it came rapidly! And then I couldn’t pull out of tournaments, that would have been unfair. So yes, the season’s been going well this year.”

Els – with three Major victories in his career – is one of the leading contenders in the Ballantine’s Championship, which tees off on Thursday (22 April) at Pinx Golf Club on the Korean holiday island of Jeju.

Other stars in the field include Asia’s first Major champion, YE Yang, three-time PGA Tour winner Anthony Kim and Henrik Stenson, who has six European Tour titles to his name.

Els finished joint fourth at last year’s Ballantine’s Championship, two shots behind eventual playoff winner Thongchai Jaidee, in a tournament played in unusually cold and windy weather.

“I had a good tournament last year,” he said. “So many people could have won it. My putt on 18 just missed and I missed one on 17 as well.

“But I had a very nice week, I enjoyed it, except for maybe the weather! It was very tough last year, hopefully this year it’s a little better.

“It’s a golf course where, if the weather conditions are nice, you can really make a lot of birdies. It lends itself to attacking golf. But if the weather isn’t good, like last year, then it’s just a question of trying to play safe.”

Els said playing in different weather conditions was one of the attractions of the European Tour and a major difference compared to the PGA Tour.

“The European Tour now is really a world tour,” he said. “You play in a lot of different conditions, I think that’s the biggest difference.

“In the US in March, you play the Florida Swing, so it’s very similar, the greens and stuff, so you can get into a flow a little bit more.

“But the European Tour is the best training ground in the world, because you play different conditions against different players and different cultures. You learn a lot more about your game on the European Tour.”

The strong field at the Ballantine’s Championship also includes the tournament’s first two winners – Graeme McDowell, who triumphed in 2008, and Thongchai.

The €2.2 million showpiece is once again co-sanctioned by the European Tour, Asian Tour and Korea PGA.

About Ballantine’s

Korea’s favourite Scotch, Ballantine’s, is also the No.1 Scotch whisky range across the Asia Pacific region (17 years old and above – IWSR) and the No.2 Scotch whisky brand in the world. Ballantine’s has won over 60 trophies and medals at international competitions in the past 10 years for quality, as a result of its unique richness of character and perfect balance. The range, from Ballantine’s Finest to the iconic 30 Year Old, is the most extensive in the world and is maintained by the latest in a tradition of master blenders that dates back to 1827.

Ballantine’s is the title sponsor of the Ballantine’s Championship and an official sponsor of both the Omega Mission Hills World Cup in China and the Barclay’s Scottish Open held in Loch Lomond, Scotland.

-- ENDS --

Released on behalf of the Ballantine’s Championship by Two Up Front – Asia’s sports PR specialists.