Back-to-back European Tour winner Brett Rumford and the defending champion Bo Van Pelt of the United States will return to contest the Perth International in 2013.
With his recent victories in South Korea and China, Rumford became the first Australian golfer to win consecutive titles on The European Tour since Jack Newton in 1972.
As a result, the 35 year old now tops The Race to Dubai with his 2013 earnings of €811,806.
Rumford, who has won five European Tour titles in his career and climbed to a career-high of 76th place in the Official World Golf Ranking, said he was looking forward to returning home with these significant wins under his belt.
“It’s always exciting to play an international tournament at home. I had a great time at last year’s Perth International, but this year I will be aiming my sights higher to hopefully round out a career-best year in front of a home crowd,” he said.
Van Pelt won an all-American battle at the 2012 Perth International over Jason Dufner. He recently secured his first top ten finish of 2013 at the Wells Fargo Championship on the US PGA Tour.
Van Pelt said he was looking forward to returning to Perth to defend his title.
“I really enjoyed my first visit to Western Australia last October and I am excited to have the opportunity to defend. Lake Karrinyup Country Club was a wonderful venue and it is terrific the Perth International will be played there again,” he said.
Vice President and Director of Golf for IMG in Australia, David Rollo, said this was the first of many exciting player announcements to come.
“The inaugural Perth International was a great success thanks to our event partners, our location, host venue and the support of both The European and Australasian Tours. We intend to build on these strong foundations and it is great to secure the talents of Brett and Bo so early in the lead up,” he said.
The 2013 Perth International will be contested at Lake Karrinyup Country Club from October 17-20. With a prize purse of US$2million, it again be the richest Tour event in Australia.
The Perth International is the only Australian event in 2013 to partner with The European Tour, and will again be co-sanctioned by the PGA Tour of Australasia.
