American big-hitter Dustin Johnson and 18-time European Tour winner Miguel Ángel Jiménez have been added to the star-studded field for the Ballantine’s Championship in Korea.
The duo will be joined by Korean teenage sensation Noh Seung Yul, the reigning Asian Tour Order of Merit champion.
Jiménez has an enviable record in the Far East with European Tour victories in Hong Kong, twice, Thailand and China. It will be his first competitive appearance in Korea since finishing joint second in the 2004 Korea Golf Championship.
“I thoroughly enjoyed my last visit to Korea and it really has been too long since I returned, so I’m really looking forward to playing in the Ballantine’s Championship,” said the Ryder Cup star.
“Ballantine’s are putting together a world class field and I’ve heard fantastic reports about Blackstone Resort, so it promises to be a memorable week.
“I’m planning to relax, enjoy the Korean culture and hospitality and play my natural game. Hopefully I can put on a great show for the fans there."
The €2.2 million Ballantine’s Championship will be staged from April 28 to May 1 at the prestigious Blackstone Resort in Seoul. The first three editions of the tournament were played at Pinx Golf Club on the holiday island of Jeju.
The mouth-watering line-up already includes World Number Two Lee Westwood, three-time Major winner Ernie Els, Englishman Ian Poulter and home favourite Y E Yang, Asia’s first Major winner, as well as Noh, who at last year’s Maybank Malaysian Open became the third youngest European Tour winner in history.
“I had a fantastic time at the Ballantine's Championship last year, finishing in the top five,” said Noh. “Now, I’m more than happy to play once again on my home turf with so many great players from around the world.
“I've yet to win as a professional in front of my home fans and the Ballantine's Championship would be the perfect time to do so. I’m really looking forward to it.”
Johnson, who has four victories on the US PGA Tour including two last season, will be making his first competitive appearance in Asia.
“I'm really looking forward to the experience, not just from a golf point of view but also as a chance to travel and experience a different culture,” he said.
“I've heard great reports about Korean golf and I know the fans are extremely passionate and knowledgeable about the game, so I know it will be a memorable trip for me.
“Ballantine's have been busy assembling a fantastic field for the tournament and with so many great players taking part, I'm excited to get out there and give it my best for the Korean galleries.”
