Entries have now closed for the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles with defending Champion Edoardo Molinari heading the field of 156 players that will do battle over The PGA Centenary Course at Gleneagles, Scotland, from August 25-28, 2011.
The field boasts more than 220 European Tour titles between them with 25 nations represented, illustrating the international nature of The European Tour. Last year’s champion from Italy will be joined by his brother and Ryder Cup team mate, Francesco, who is keen to recreate some of the form his sibling produced in Scotland last year.
“So far Edoardo has had all the success in Scotland and I am keen to follow his example this year. We’ve won a number of tournaments between us but have yet to win the same title and that’s what I’ll be aiming for this week,” said Francesco.
Edoardo, who was paired with Francesco in the final round of both his 2010 victories in Scotland, The Barclays Scottish Open and The Johnnie Walker Championship, is looking forward to defending his title.
He said: “Defending the title is a big priority, it’s a great Championship and I really like the course which will be a great venue for The 2014 Ryder Cup. I like playing in Scotland and I’m sure the Scottish crowds will be unbelievable to me again, like last year. They are the most knowledgeable crowd that we play in front of.”
Colin Montgomerie, The 2010 Ryder Cup Captain who has been sidelined by an achilles injury in recent weeks, will be looking to find the form that saw him lead early in the final round at the 2011 Scottish Open.
He said: “I’m eager to get playing again so it’s with great excitement that I look forward to the start of the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles. I’m currently 92nd in The European Tour Race to Dubai and want to make it into the season-ending event so need a good finish in front of my home fans to move back into the top 60 of the rankings.”
Joining the Scot will be two of his victorious vice captains, Thomas Björn and Paul McGinley as well as his successor José María Olazábal, who will be keeping a close eye on the leader board.
Graeme Marchbank, Head of Corporate Sponsorship, Diageo, said: “We are really looking forward to this year’s Championship especially as we have one eye on 2014 as we are now the next European venue for the Ryder Cup. With just over a week to go all our preparations are going well and we feel everything is in place for our best Championships to date.”
The 2011 Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles will again be broadcast on Sky Sports and will be played on the Gleneagles PGA Centenary Course from August 25-28.
As the venue for the Johnnie Walker Championship and the Host Venue for the 2014 Ryder Cup, The Gleneagles Hotel is one of the strongest supporters of golf in Scotland. That support is being increased this year with the introduction of ‘£5 Friday’ during the week of the Johnnie Walker Championship. Gleneagles will donate all the revenue from on-the-day ticket sales to clubgolf – Scotland’s junior golf development programme.
Tickets are available at the course and atwww.europeantourtickets.comParking is free.
