Lee Westwood showed exactly why he is world No.1 with a thrilling one-shot victory in the Ballantine’s Championship in Korea on Sunday (1 May).

The English ace returned a five-under-par 67 at Blackstone Golf Club near Seoul to edge out Spanish veteran Miguel Ángel Jiménez.

The win left Westwood celebrating back-to-back victories in Asia following his success in last week’s Indonesian Masters.

In a nail-biting finish, Westwood birdied the par-five 18th to take the outright lead at 12-under for the tournament and Jiménez, playing four holes behind, was unable to find the birdie required to force a playoff.

Jiménez’s 14-foot birdie putt at the last slid past the hole, leaving him as runner-up on 11-under after a closing 71.

“I’m delighted,” said Westwood, the first world No.1 ever to play in Korea. “Professional golf is all about winning so it is great to do it two weeks in a row. It was nice to come back from last week, refocus and get it all together for this week, as well.

“When you’re No.1, it’s always nice to come to a place and play like the No.1 and I think I’ve done that this week.”

Westwood, who began the final round three shots behind the leading trio of Jiménez, Welshman Rhys Davies and Alex Noren of Sweden, added: “It was very difficult out there today. The wind was up and swirling around.

“There were some tough holes, difficult to club, and my distance control with my irons has been very good this week. I have a great caddie in Billy Foster, as well, which always helps on a day like today.”

“To go around without making a bogey, five birdies and 13 pars, was a special round of golf, I think,” said Westwood, who earned €367,500 for his 21st European Tour victory.

With his world No.1 status underlined, Westwood was in no doubt about his next target. “My next goal is to win a Major championship,” he said. “It’s the dream of all professional golfers to get to No. 1 in the world rankings, and I’ve done that.

“I haven’t won a Major yet and that’s the missing thing. So that’s what I gear all my practice and scheduling towards. That’s the next thing, hopefully.”

Korean Tour regular Park Sang Hyun (69) delighted the galleries at the €2.2 million Ballantine’s Championship with an eagle the last to take sole possession of third place on 10-under.

American star Dustin Johnson – making his competitive debut in Asia – carded a 69 to finish fourth on nine-under.

After the rain-affected third round was completed on Sunday morning, Jiménez, Davies and Noren were on 10-under, one shot ahead of Australian Brett Rumford.

After just three holes, Noren had moved to 12-under and held a three-shot lead over the field but four bogeys between No.4 and No.11 ended his challenge. He returned a 74 to finish tied fifth with Korea’s Hong Soon Sang (69).

Rumford – joint second in the Ballantine’s Championship 12 months ago – carded a 74 to finish joint seventh while Davies fell away with a 77 to end up tied for 13th place.

The 2011 Ballantine’s Championship was once again co-sanctioned by the European Tour, Asian Tour and Korea PGA.

About Ballantine’s

Ballantine’s is the No.1 ultra-premium whisky in Asia Pacific and the No.1 Scotch whisky in Europe, selling over 70 million bottles a year worldwide. Ballantine’s has won over 80 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 of Scotch and is maintained by the latest in a tradition of master blenders that dates back to 1827.

• Ballantine’s has been title sponsor of the Ballantine’s Championship since 2008 and has committed to the event until 2013 – please visit www.ballantineschampionship.com
• Ballantine’s has been an official sponsor of the Barclay’s Scottish Open since 2007
• The first Ballantine’s sponsored golf tournament was played in 1960 at Wentworth Golf Club, England

-- ENDS --

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

Miguel Ángel Jiménez grabbed a share of the lead at the Ballantine’s Championship in Korea on Saturday (30 April) as he continued his quest for a 19th European Tour title.

The Spanish ace birdied three holes on the front nine at Blackstone Golf Club near Seoul to join overnight leader Brett Rumford of Australia on 10-under-par for the tournament before a rainstorm ended play for the day.

“I played very well the first nine holes,” said a happy Jiménez. “I birdied the first and second and then birdied the eighth from 14 feet.”

Jiménez has a brilliant record in the Far East with European Tour victories in Hong Kong – twice – Thailand and China. The €2.2 million Ballantine’s Championship marks just his second competitive appearance in Korea.

He was in an upbeat mood as he assessed the prospect of a long Sunday. “Tomorrow we have to play 27 holes, so it will be a bit of a marathon, but I’m feeling good,” he said.

Rumford, who finished joint runner-up in the Ballantine’s Championship 12 months ago, was level par through the first nine holes and said Blackstone’s tiered greens were proving difficult.

“There were some tricky pins out there today,” said the Australian, who is a three-time winner on the European Tour but is chasing his first victory since 2007.

“They were placed up on the top part of all the tiers and ridges, so it was pretty tricky trying to get on the right tier. You had to be very, very precise.  But I stayed patient and hit some nice golf shots.”

Welshman Rhys Davies was two shots behind the leaders at eight-under after 10 holes while seven players were on seven-under, including American star Dustin Johnson who was also through 10.

World No.1 Lee Westwood was on six-under – four behind the leading duo – having completed 12 holes.

The third round will resume at 8:00am on Sunday and the same pairings will be retained for the fourth round, which gets under way at 09:20am.

The 2011 Ballantine’s Championship is once again co-sanctioned by the European Tour, Asian Tour and Korea PGA.

About Ballantine’s

Ballantine’s is the No.1 ultra-premium whisky in Asia Pacific and the No.1 Scotch whisky in Europe, selling over 70 million bottles a year worldwide. Ballantine’s has won over 80 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 of Scotch and is maintained by the latest in a tradition of master blenders that dates back to 1827.

• Ballantine’s has been title sponsor of the Ballantine’s Championship since 2008 and has committed to the event until 2013 – please visit www.ballantineschampionship.com
• Ballantine’s has been an official sponsor of the Barclay’s Scottish Open since 2007
• The first Ballantine’s sponsored golf tournament was played in 1960 at Wentworth Golf Club, England

-- ENDS --

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

Brett Rumford raced into a commanding lead on the second day of the Ballantine’s Championship in Korea on Friday (29 April).

The Australian – who finished joint second in the event last year – fired a brilliant nine-under-par 63 at Blackstone Golf Club near Seoul to reach 10-under 134 for the tournament.

He finished the day three shots clear of Spain’s Miguel Ángel Jiménez (67) and Denmark’s Søren Kjeldsen (66).

First round leader Damien McGrane of Ireland, who added a 72 to his opening 66, was a further shot back at six-under together with Welshman Rhys Davies (68) and England’s James Morrison (69).

Rumford’s flawless round contained nine birdies as he roared up the leaderboard after opening with a 71 and he cited benign weather conditions on Friday as a key factor in his improvement.

“The blustery conditions on the first afternoon made scoring a little bit difficult,” he said. “The greens are so firm and it was difficult to get the ball close to the hole, so you were left with a lot of 20-foot putts.

“Today, it was obviously a lot easier to control the ball coming into these very firm greens and I putted very, very nicely.”

Rumford is a three-time winner on the European Tour but is chasing his first victory since 2007. He finished four shots behind eventual winner Marcus Fraser at last year’s Ballantine’s Championship and admitted he had given himself a good chance of going one better this time.

“I’m in a position now to be thinking that, for sure,” he said. “At the beginning of the week, maybe not so. I haven’t come into this week with great form but this is a fickle game and it changes from week to week.”

Big-hitting American Dustin Johnson had another good day, a 69 taking him to five-under and in prime position to make a weekend charge.

The PGA Tour star parred his last nine holes on Friday and said he needed to start sinking some putts to put pressure on the leaders.

“I’ve played really well the first couple of days, I just haven’t really made as many putts as I would like to,” said Johnson, who is playing in Asia for the first time. “I’m rolling it good and they look like they’re going in, but are just barely missing.

“If I’d made a few in the last couple of days then I’d be right up there in the lead. I just need to get some putts going early in the round tomorrow and hopefully feed off that.”

World No.1 Lee Westwood returned a 68 to move to four-under and stayed positive about his chances. ”It gives me a chance, doesn’t it?” said the English star. “Six behind the leader and three behind second. I have a funny feeling a lot can happen on this golf course.

“I played nicely. Same as yesterday, hit the ball well but didn’t really make any putts again. The greens are firm, tough to figure out. I was mildly frustrated out there, but it’s one of those things, golf is a frustrating sport.”

The 2011 Ballantine’s Championship is once again co-sanctioned by the European Tour, Asian Tour and Korea PGA.

About Ballantine’s

Ballantine’s is the No.1 ultra-premium whisky in Asia Pacific and the No.1 Scotch whisky in Europe, selling over 70 million bottles a year worldwide. Ballantine’s has won over 80 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 of Scotch and is maintained by the latest in a tradition of master blenders that dates back to 1827.

• Ballantine’s has been title sponsor of the Ballantine’s Championship since 2008 and has committed to the event until 2013 – please visit www.ballantineschampionship.com
• Ballantine’s has been an official sponsor of the Barclay’s Scottish Open since 2007
• The first Ballantine’s sponsored golf tournament was played in 1960 at Wentworth Golf Club, England

-- ENDS --

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

Miguel Ángel Jiménez was in sparkling form both on and off the course as he moved into contention on the second day of the Ballantine’s Championship in Korea on Friday (29 April).

The cigar-chomping, pony-tailed Spaniard fired a five-under-par 67 at Blackstone Golf Club near Seoul to stand three shots off the lead.

At seven-under for the tournament, he shares second place with Denmark’s Søren Kjeldsen, three shots behind leader Brett Rumford of Australia.

Jiménez then had the Korean media in stitches at his post-round press conference with his relaxed attitude and playful answers.

After lighting up one of his signature cigars, he was asked why he had not smoked during his round. “No, I never smoke in tournament rounds,” he insisted. “I smoke before, after, in pro-ams, in practice, I smoke all over the place! But not in a tournament round. I also don’t smoke in the gym!”

And when a reporter asked why he had played so well, the 18-time European Tour winner responded: “Because I’m happy, because I’m Miguel Ángel Jiménez! I’m playing well, so I’m shooting low and I feel good.

“The most important thing in life is, you have to enjoy yourself, whatever you’re doing, and playing golf is my joy. I love to play. I always like to have fun and I always try to enjoy myself.”

Jiménez has a brilliant record in the Far East with European Tour victories in Hong Kong – twice – Thailand and China. The Ballantine’s Championship marks just his second competitive appearance in Korea.

He was full of praise for Blackstone’s par 72 layout with its changes in elevation and tiered greens.

“It is a great golf course,” he said. “You can see everything when you get to the tees, there are no blind shots. It’s quite a long walk from the greens to tees, but it’s a nice design. I like it very much.”

About Ballantine’s

Ballantine’s is the No.1 ultra-premium whisky in Asia Pacific and the No.1 Scotch whisky in Europe, selling over 70 million bottles a year worldwide. Ballantine’s has won over 80 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 of Scotch and is maintained by the latest in a tradition of master blenders that dates back to 1827.

• Ballantine’s has been title sponsor of the Ballantine’s Championship since 2008 and has committed to the event until 2013 – please visit www.ballantineschampionship.com
• Ballantine’s has been an official sponsor of the Barclay’s Scottish Open since 2007
• The first Ballantine’s sponsored golf tournament was played in 1960 at Wentworth Golf Club, England

-- ENDS --

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

Brett Rumford raced into a commanding lead on the second day of the Ballantine’s Championship in Korea on Friday (29 April).

The Australian – who finished joint second in the event last year – fired a brilliant nine-under-par 63 in the morning round at Blackstone Golf Club near Seoul to reach 10-under 134 for the tournament.

That left him three shots clear of Denmark’s Søren Kjeldsen, who returned a 66, while Welshman Rhys Davies (68) and England’s James Morrison (69) were in the clubhouse at six-under.

Rumford’s flawless round contained nine birdies as he roared up the leaderboard after opening with a 71 and he cited benign weather conditions on Friday as a key factor in his improvement.

“The blustery conditions on the first afternoon made scoring a little bit difficult,” he said. “The greens are so firm and it was difficult to get the ball close to the hole, so you were left with a lot of 20-foot putts.

“Today, it was obviously a lot easier to control the ball coming into these very firm greens and I putted very, very nicely.”

Rumford is a three-time winner on the European Tour but is chasing his first victory since 2007. He finished four shots behind eventual winner Marcus Fraser at last year’s Ballantine’s Championship and admitted he had given himself a good chance of going one better this time.

“I’m in a position now to be thinking that, for sure,” he said. “At the beginning of the week, maybe not so. I haven’t come into this week with great form but this is a fickle game and it changes from week to week.”

Big-hitting American Dustin Johnson had another good day, a 69 taking him to five-under and in prime position to make a weekend charge.

The PGA Tour star parred his last nine holes on Friday and said he needed to start sinking some putts to put pressure on the leaders.

“I’ve played really well the first couple of days, I just haven’t really made as many putts as I would like to,” said Johnson, who is playing in Asia for the first time. “I’m rolling it good and they look like they’re going in, but are just barely missing.

“If I’d made a few in the last couple of days then I’d be right up there in the lead. I just need to get some putts going early in the round tomorrow and hopefully feed off that.”

About Ballantine’s

Ballantine’s is the No.1 ultra-premium whisky in Asia Pacific and the No.1 Scotch whisky in Europe, selling over 70 million bottles a year worldwide. Ballantine’s has won over 80 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 of Scotch and is maintained by the latest in a tradition of master blenders that dates back to 1827.

• Ballantine’s has been title sponsor of the Ballantine’s Championship since 2008 and has committed to the event until 2013 – please visit www.ballantineschampionship.com
• Ballantine’s has been an official sponsor of the Barclay’s Scottish Open since 2007
• The first Ballantine’s sponsored golf tournament was played in 1960 at Wentworth Golf Club, England

-- ENDS --

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

Damien McGrane was a happy man after grabbing the first round lead at the Ballantine’s Championship in Korea on Thursday (28 April).

The Irish star returned a six-under-par 66 to lead by one shot at Blackstone Golf Club near Seoul.

“I made plenty of birdies and I putted nicely,” he said. “I holed everything inside 15 feet. I also made two bogeys which came out of nowhere, but that’s golf.

“I had good pace on my putts, which is important to me. If I get good pace, I can hole putts. Obviously, I want to build on that and keep going.”

McGrane, whose sole European Tour win came in the China Open three years ago, predicted a low-scoring tournament.

“I still think there are a lot of birdie chances out there and scoring will be quite low this week,” he said. “The fairways are generous and, just like last week [the China Open, where he finished joint 22nd], you make birdies on day one and keep going till the end of the tournament.”

England’s Richard Finch, Korean Park Sang Hyun and Felipe Aguilar of Chile were in joint second at the €2.2 million Ballantine’s Championship after posting 67s.

Finch was delighted with his bogey-free round. “It’s a tough golf course and I somehow managed to keep bogeys off the card, which was nice,” he said. “This course has a lot of elevation changes and slopes. Even the greens have some huge slopes and ridges in them.

“I just tried to make it a real key to get it on the fairway in the first place and try to get on the correct level with my approach shot. If you’re on the correct level, you’re not too far away and should have a good chance at birdie.”

Korean Tour regular Park was grouped with two of his compatriots – Kim Hyung Tae and Chung Joon, the latter a late replacement for Australia’s David Gleeson – and said that helped his game.

“When we were out there, it felt more like a Korean Tour event, so I was able to relax a little more,” he revealed.

PGA Tour star Dustin Johnson and Spanish veteran Miguel Ángel Jiménez both made solid starts on two-under 70.

“Overall, I’m happy with the day,” said Johnson. “The wind picked up on the back nine, so it made it really tough to get it close to the hole. I’ve got an early tee time tomorrow so, hopefully, the wind won’t be blowing and I can come out and make a run.”

World No.1 Lee Westwood, one of the big draw cards at the Ballantine’s Championship, stayed positive after a double-bogey on his last hole (the 10th) dropped him back to level-par 72.

“I’m still in contention,” said the English star. “On the first 15 holes I played very nicely and gave myself a lot of chances without really making any putts.”

Three-time Major winner Ernie Els of South Africa returned a 73 while England’s Ian Poulter had a 74.

The 2011 Ballantine’s Championship is once again co-sanctioned by the European Tour, Asian Tour and Korea PGA.

About Ballantine’s

Ballantine’s is the No.1 ultra-premium whisky in Asia Pacific and the No.1 Scotch whisky in Europe, selling over 70 million bottles a year worldwide. Ballantine’s has won over 80 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 of Scotch and is maintained by the latest in a tradition of master blenders that dates back to 1827.

• Ballantine’s has been title sponsor of the Ballantine’s Championship since 2008 and has committed to the event until 2013 – please visit www.ballantineschampionship.com
• Ballantine’s has been an official sponsor of the Barclay’s Scottish Open since 2007
• The first Ballantine’s sponsored golf tournament was played in 1960 at Wentworth Golf Club, England

-- ENDS --

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

When it comes to golf practice, Ballantine’s Championship contender Felipe Aguilar likes to keep it in the family.

The genial Chilean has an artificial putting green inside his home in Santiago and sinks putts in competition with his wife, Loreto, while their three children watch TV.

“It’s one of the best things I’ve done, making the green inside the house,” revealed Aguilar. “My wife loves to watch golf, but I don’t. And my kids like to watch soccer games and stuff like that. The only way that I can spend a lot of time with my family is that they watch television while I putt.

“I usually get more practice in whenever my wife watches television. She will say, ‘Did you make it? I didn’t hear [the sound of ball going in].’ During the commercials she will come over and we will have little competitions.”

Aguilar explained his unusual practice routine after a flawless first round on Thursday [28 April] at the Ballantine’s Championship, which is being staged at Blackstone Golf Club near Seoul, Korea.

His bogey-free, five-under-par 67 left him in joint second place, one shot behind leader Damien McGrane.

“I ran into a little trouble at the end of the round; the wind picked up and it was kind of swirling, so it was difficult to read,” he said. “I missed a couple of greens coming in but my short game was good.

“The course is playing great. I got off to a pretty hot start. I made a couple of long putts that really helped, and I could really feel the tension, especially coming into the last couple of holes. Overall I’m really happy with the round.”

Aguilar insisted he was not thinking just yet about adding to his lone European Tour victory, which came at the 2008 Indonesian Open.

“It’s only the beginning,” he said. “You can lose the tournament today, you can’t win it.  We are just getting ourselves in position to be in contention.”

About Ballantine’s

Ballantine’s is the No.1 ultra-premium whisky in Asia Pacific and the No.1 Scotch whisky in Europe, selling over 70 million bottles a year worldwide. Ballantine’s has won over 80 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 of Scotch and is maintained by the latest in a tradition of master blenders that dates back to 1827.

• Ballantine’s has been title sponsor of the Ballantine’s Championship since 2008 and has committed to the event until 2013 – please visit www.ballantineschampionship.com
• Ballantine’s has been an official sponsor of the Barclay’s Scottish Open since 2007
• The first Ballantine’s sponsored golf tournament was played in 1960 at Wentworth Golf Club, England

-- ENDS --

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

Damien McGrane was a happy man after grabbing an early lead at the Ballantine’s Championship in Korea on Thursday (28 April).

The Irish star returned a six-under-par 66 to lead by one shot after the morning round at Blackstone Golf Club near Seoul.

“I made plenty of birdies and I putted nicely,” he said. “I holed everything inside 15 feet. I also made two bogeys which came out of nowhere, but that’s golf.

“I had good pace on my putts, which is important to me. If I get good pace, I can hole putts. Obviously, I want to build on that and keep going.”

McGrane, whose sole European Tour win came in the China Open three years ago, predicted a low-scoring tournament.

“I still think there are a lot of birdie chances out there and scoring will be quite low this week,” he said. “The fairways are generous and, just like last week [the China Open, where he finished joint 22nd], you make birdies on day one and keep going till the end of the tournament.”

England’s Richard Finch and Korean Park Sang Hyun were in joint second after posting 67s. Finch was delighted with his bogey-free round. “It’s a tough golf course and I somehow managed to keep bogeys off the card, which was nice,” he said.

“This course has a lot of elevation changes and slopes. Even the greens have some huge slopes and ridges in them.

“I just tried to make it a real key to get it on the fairway in the first place and try to get on the correct level with my approach shot. If you’re on the correct level, you’re not too far away and should have a good chance at birdie.”

Korean Tour regular Park was grouped with two of his compatriots – Kim Hyung Tae and Chung Joon, the latter a late replacement for Australia’s David Gleeson – and said that helped his game. “When we were out there, it felt more like a Korean Tour event, so I was able to relax a little more,” he revealed.

World No.1 Lee Westwood stayed positive after a double-bogey on his last hole (the 10th) dropped him back to level-par 72. “I’m still in contention,” said the English star. “On the first 15 holes I played very nicely and gave myself a lot of chances without really making any putts.”

Spanish veteran Miguel Ángel Jiménez carded a two-under 70 while England’s Ian Poulter had a 74.

Teeing off in the afternoon round on the opening day of the €2.2 million Ballantine’s Championship were three-time Major winner Ernie Els, PGA Tour star Dustin Johnson and Korean hero YE Yang.

The 2011 Ballantine’s Championship is once again co-sanctioned by the European Tour, Asian Tour and Korea PGA.

About Ballantine’s

Ballantine’s is the No.1 ultra-premium whisky in Asia Pacific and the No.1 Scotch whisky in Europe, selling over 70 million bottles a year worldwide. Ballantine’s has won over 80 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 of Scotch and is maintained by the latest in a tradition of master blenders that dates back to 1827.

• Ballantine’s has been title sponsor of the Ballantine’s Championship since 2008 and has committed to the event until 2013 – please visit www.ballantineschampionship.com
• Ballantine’s has been an official sponsor of the Barclay’s Scottish Open since 2007
• The first Ballantine’s sponsored golf tournament was played in 1960 at Wentworth Golf Club, England

-- ENDS --

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

Big-hitting Dustin Johnson is determined to show Korean golf fans there is more to his game than length off the tee.

The American star – currently the third longest hitter on the PGA Tour, averaging more than 307 yards per drive – is making his Asian debut in this week’s Ballantine’s Championship in Korea.

Told that Korean fans knew him more for his driving power than his all-round game, Johnson said he would try to change that. “I obviously want to come out and contend and I’m here to win the golf tournament,” he said.

“So, hopefully, on Sunday, I’m going to be around the lead and have a chance to win. It’s good to come out to Korea and play for my fans over here and let them see other parts of my game besides the driver.”

Johnson, 26, is one of golf’s most exciting talents. Currently 12th in the world rankings, he already has four victories on the PGA Tour, including two last year.

The American said he was looking forward to his Korean debut and admitted it would be a good thing if more PGA Tour stars ventured overseas.

“I think it’s important to get out and play,” he said. “Obviously, the European players are more travelled, they play more events over here [in Asia] and also play some in the States, too.

“We get comfortable playing on our tour, but you can’t blame us. I think it’s the best tour – a lot of people do. It’s hard to get the guys to come over here to play but, you know, it’s important for us to come over and play a few times a year to acknowledge our overseas fans.”

Johnson is one of the leading contenders at the €2.2 million Ballantine’s Championship, which begins on Thursday at Blackstone Golf Club near Seoul.

Other stars in the elite field include world No.1 Lee Westwood, three-time Major winner Ernie Els and Ryder Cup duo Ian Poulter and Miguel Ángel Jiménez.

YE Yang – Asia’s first ever Major winner – leads a strong Korean challenge that also includes teenage sensation Noh Seung Yul, the reigning Asian Tour Order of Merit champion, and Kim Kyung Tae, a three-time winner in Japan last year.

Johnson is relishing the chance to put on a show for the Korean galleries. “I’m really looking forward to this week,” he said. “It’s a great golf course and I’m enjoying my time here. Last night we had the gala dinner and I had a lot of fun. I’m just excited to be here.”

With three top 10 finishes on the PGA Tour this year, including second place at the WGC-Cadillac Championship, Johnson said he was happy with his game.

“It’s getting better each week and I’m looking forward to this week,” he said. “I’ve been hitting it really well these past two days and I’m starting to get a little more comfortable with the putter, which is probably what has held me back a little bit so far this year.

“It’s finally starting to come around. I’ve been working hard on the putter, so I’m looking forward to getting out there this week and maybe rolling in some putts.”

About Ballantine’s

Ballantine’s is the No.1 ultra-premium whisky in Asia Pacific and the No.1 Scotch whisky in Europe, selling over 70 million bottles a year worldwide. Ballantine’s has won over 80 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 of Scotch and is maintained by the latest in a tradition of master blenders that dates back to 1827.

• Ballantine’s has been title sponsor of the Ballantine’s Championship since 2008 and has committed to the event until 2013 – please visit www.ballantineschampionship.com
• Ballantine’s has been an official sponsor of the Barclay’s Scottish Open since 2007
• The first Ballantine’s sponsored golf tournament was played in 1960 at Wentworth Golf Club, England

-- ENDS --

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

Teenage sensation Noh Seung Yul is hoping his new-look swing can carry him to a historic victory at this week’s Ballantine’s Championship in Korea.

The golf-mad country is still awaiting its first home winner of the tournament and Noh – the reigning Asian Tour Order of Merit champion – is keen to deliver. He finished equal fourth in last year’s event, which was reduced to 54 holes after a lengthy fog hold-up on the first day.

“One of the days was cancelled, which was somewhat disappointing because I really wanted to give it a try at winning,” said Noh. “This week we’re at a brand new course so I hope I can write a new record.”

The Ballantine’s Championship has moved to Blackstone Golf Club near Seoul after the first three editions were held at Pinx Golf Club on the Korean holiday island of Jeju.

Noh, still only 19, will be playing just his third tournament since making adjustments to his swing and enduring an injury layoff. “Two months ago, I got a new coach, and we started making tweaks to my swing from address to finish,” he revealed. “I was making a lot of effort but, as a result of this, I got a finger injury.

“So, for a month, I wasn’t able to practice and wasn’t able to get adapted to the new swing. I’ve been practising for the past two weeks, though, and I feel that my swing is becoming a little bit more stable.”

Noh, who ranks as the third youngest European Tour winner in history thanks to his victory in the 2010 Malaysian Open, will lead a strong Korean challenge when the €2.2 million Ballantine’s Championship tees off on Thursday. YE Yang, Asia’s first ever Major winner, and Kim Kyung Tae, a three-time winner in Japan last year, will also fly the flag for the host country.

Aiming to take the trophy overseas once more will be an elite field that includes world No.1 Lee Westwood, three-time Major winner Ernie Els, PGA Tour star Dustin Johnson and Ryder Cup duo Ian Poulter and Miguel Ángel Jiménez.

The 2011 Ballantine’s Championship will once again be co-sanctioned by the European Tour, Asian Tour and Korea PGA.

About Ballantine’s

Ballantine’s is the No.1 ultra-premium whisky in Asia Pacific and the No.1 Scotch whisky in Europe, selling over 70 million bottles a year worldwide. Ballantine’s has won over 80 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 of Scotch and is maintained by the latest in a tradition of master blenders that dates back to 1827.

• Ballantine’s has been title sponsor of the Ballantine’s Championship since 2008 and has committed to the event until 2013 – please visit www.ballantineschampionship.com
• Ballantine’s has been an official sponsor of the Barclay’s Scottish Open since 2007
• The first Ballantine’s sponsored golf tournament was played in 1960 at Wentworth Golf Club, England

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