They will be joined in the €2.2 million showpiece by European Tour legend Miguel Angel Jiménez and the tournament’s 2008 champion, Graeme McDowell.

Korean hero Yang Yong Eun, who became Asia’s first ever Major winner when he captured the PGA Championship last year, has already been confirmed for the event.

The third edition of the Ballantine’s Championship will be held from 22-25 April, once again at Pinx Golf Club on the holiday island of Jeju.

South African superstar Els made his debut in the tournament last year and contended strongly throughout, eventually finishing equal fourth, two shots behind playoff winner Thongchai Jaidee.

“I thoroughly enjoyed my Ballantine’s Championship debut and was pleased with a top-five finish, although if I could have got a couple more putts to drop on the final day it might have been even better!” said Els. “It’s a wonderful course and the Korean fans are passionate and knowledgeable, so I’m delighted to be returning.”

Els has a career record that marks him out as one of the all-time greats. Apart from his three Majors – the US Open in 1994 and 1997 and the British Open in 2002 – he has won an astonishing seven World Match Play Championship titles, twice finished on top of the European Tour Order of Merit and has triumphed 16 times on the PGA Tour.

Like Els, Kim will return to Pinx looking to settle some unfinished business. The Korean-American ace wowed fans at the inaugural tournament two years ago before eventually finishing joint fifth. But he believes he could have put more pressure on leaders McDowell and Jeev Milkha Singh, who pulled away from the field before going to a playoff in which McDowell prevailed.

“I feel I have some unfinished business at the Ballantine’s Championship and that is part of my motivation for returning this year,” said Kim. “In 2008 I felt I was right in the mix after two rounds but failed to really get anything going on the weekend, while at the same time you have to say Graeme and Jeev played some amazing golf and ran away from the rest of us.

“But looking at it positively, I shot four rounds in the 60s so I believe it’s a course that really suits my game and one where I can feel comfortable.”

Kim, born in California to Korean parents who immigrated to the US, has another reason to look forward to playing in his ancestral homeland again. “The other motivation for returning is the reception I received from the Korean fans,” he explained. “They gave me a wonderful welcome and were fantastic in their support throughout the four rounds.

“I would dearly love to win a tournament in the country of my parents’ birth and my message to the fans in Korea is that I’ll be going all out to do that this time.”

Kim emerged as one of the most exciting young talents in world golf in 2007 when he had an impressive rookie season on the PGA Tour. But his career really took off in 2008 when he captured two titles, the Wachovia Championship and AT&T National, and played a leading role in helping the US regain the Ryder Cup.

Last year, he followed up his desire to be more of a world golfer by taking up affiliate membership of the European Tour and he finished runner-up to England’s Ross Fisher in the Volvo World Match Play.

Stenson, meanwhile, has six European Tour victories to his name and last year captured the biggest title of his career when he won The Players Championship on the PGA Tour by four shots. The Swede will be returning to Pinx after making his debut in the 2009 tournament.

“I enjoyed playing in last year’s Ballantine’s Championship so I’m very happy to be appearing in the 2010 event,” he said. “I know Ballantine’s are compiling a fantastic field so I’m looking forward to the challenge of competing against these great players. It promises to be an exciting week.”

Spanish veteran Jiménez, one of golf’s great characters, will be playing in Korea for the first time since finishing joint second in the 2004 Shinhan Korea Golf Championship. His victory in the recent Omega Dubai Desert Classic was his 16th on the European Tour and he has won events in Thailand, Hong Kong and China in recent years.

“I’m really looking forward to playing in Korea once again,” said Jiménez. “I had a wonderful experience when competing in 2004 and have heard great things about the Ballantine’s Championship from my fellow pros. Asia has been very kind to me in the past and I always seem to play well there, so hopefully I can put on a great show for the Korean fans.”

Northern Ireland’s McDowell triumphed in dramatic fashion at Pinx two years ago, edging out Indian ace Jeev on the third extra hole. That victory sparked a stellar season that yielded a second success at the Barclays Scottish Open and his Ryder Cup debut.

“I’m delighted to be headed back to Korea in April to compete in the Ballantine’s Championship for the third consecutive year,” said McDowell. “As a global brand ambassador for Ballantine’s, I’m proud to be involved with such an excellent partner of international golf and I’m confident the 2010 tournament will once again be of the highest quality.

“My game is in good shape at the moment, and I’m feeling fit and ready for the busy season ahead. I look forward to trying to repeat my win in 2008, which triggered the best period in my career so far.”

The Ballantine’s Championship, the first European Tour event to be played in Korea, will once again be co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and Korea PGA.

Ballantine’s has already announced it is extending its title sponsorship by three years through to the 2013 event.

“The depth of talent and character in the players announced today is a reflection of the stature of the Ballantine’s Championship and we look forward to hosting them at the prestigious Pinx Golf Club in April,” said Peter Moore, Ballantine’s Global Brand Director.

“By supporting three major European Tour events and investing in golf from grassroots to the world’s best, Ballantine’s has established itself as a major golf sponsor and we are committed to the sport long-term around the world.”

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.

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

The deal extends the company’s involvement in the popular tournament at Hong Kong Football Club to four years, having started in 2008.

“We are delighted to continue playing a key role in what is widely considered the best seven-a-side football event in the world,” said Two Up Front editorial director Niall Donnelly.

“Since IP Global became title sponsor in 2009 the organisers have signalled their intention to raise the profile and prestige of the tournament even higher and we are greatly looking forward to being involved in these ambitious plans.”

Two Up Front secured the agreement after successful negotiations with Hong Kong Football Club and the tournament’s promoter, Chatter Productions Limited.

First played in 1999, the Soccer Sevens has become one of the highlights of the crowded international football calendar. The 32-team tournament is divided into two sections – a Main competition that attracts some of the best young talent at English Premier League clubs and a Masters event that features recently retired stars.

Scottish giants Celtic won the 2009 Main competition, beating arch rivals Rangers 1-0 in the final. The Masters event was won by Hong Kong side Golden Rainbow, who beat charity team Football For Life 2-1.

The 2010 Soccer Sevens will take place from 14-16 May at Hong Kong Football Club.

Two Up Front also handles worldwide PR and media management for two high-profile golf tournaments, the Hong Kong Open and the Ballantine’s Championship in Korea, both of which are co-sanctioned by the European and Asian Tours.

In addition, the company publishes the acclaimed official programme and pocket guide for the world famous Cathay Pacific/Credit Suisse Hong Kong Sevens rugby tournament.