Norman to star in Western Australia

Australia’s Greg Norman is the first golfing great to commit to the 2009 Johnnie Walker Classic, which will be held at The Vines Resort & Country Club in Perth, Western Australia, from February 19 to 22. The participation of former World Number One Norman, who recently rolled back the years at Royal Birkdale and almost secured an unlikely third Open Championship title, is an indication that the event will once again feature a strong field of international stars. Norman said: “I have always had a great time competing in Johnnie Walker events. It will also be a great treat to be competing back on home soil in Australia – especially in Perth, which offers great weather, a fantastic championship course at The Vines, and a wonderful backdrop for a tournament as prestigious as the Johnnie Walker Classic.” In spite of cutting back his playing schedule to accommodate his worldwide commitments to his course design and other business interests, Norman’s revival at The Open Championship makes the 53 year old a prime example of the “Keep Walking” message which lies at heart of theJohnnie Walker brand. Against the odds, Norman dominated the leaderboard for much of The Open Championship, as he strived to secure the Claret Jug ahead of some of the world’s greatest golfers in arguably the most demanding conditions in the history of the tournament. Over the years, Norman has enjoyed a sparkling career which has seen him win more than 80 tournaments worldwide – including two Open Championship titles in 1986 and 1993 – and spend a total of 331 weeks at the top of the Official World Rankings. The charismatic golfer, known throughout the world as the ‘Great White Shark’, makes a welcome return to the Johnnie Walker Classic which he won in 1994 at the Blue Canyon Country Club in Phuket. In becoming the fourth winner of the coveted Johnnie Walker Striding Man trophy, Norman overcame a star-studded field which included such golfing greats as: Bernhard Langer of Germany, who had won his second US Masters the previous year; Zimbabwean Nick Price, who went on to win the Open Championship and the US PGA Championship that same year; American Fred Couples, who had won the inaugural Johnnie Walker World Championship; and Ian Woosnam of Wales, who had been victorious at the US Masters just three years before. David Gates, Global Brand Director for Johnnie Walker, said: “Historically the Johnnie Walker Classic, one of Asia Pacific’s most established and popular golf events, has boasted a high calibre line-up, and the participation of Greg Norman is confirmation that we will maintain that tradition in 2009. “Greg’s presence will give Australian golf fans the rare opportunity to watch their greatest ever golfer in action on home soil, alongside a host of other international golfing giants who will be competing in the 18th staging of the event, which was first played in 1990 at the Hong Kong Golf Club.”