Bangkok--27 Feb--124 Communications The JOHNNIE WALKER CLASSIC, which is presented by JOHNNIE WALKER, the world’s leading Scotch whisky brand, is attracting some of the best golfers in the world to Phuket next week. Playing in Asia Pacific’s premier golf tournament, taking place at Blue Canyon Country Club, will be: World #3 Australian Adam Scott, world #5 Ernie Els and #6 Retief Goosen, both from South Africa; Ryder Cup stars Paul Casey, Colin Montgomerie and Ian Woosnam, Canadian super star Mike Weir, and Seniors Tour stalwart Sam Torrance. Challenging them in the star studded 156 player starting field will be a force of the very best Asian talent including Indians Jeev Milkha Singh and Jyoti Randhawa, Yang Yong-eun of Korea, Liang Wen-chong and Zhang Lian-wei of China, Wang Ter-chang of Taiwan and a formidable seven in-form Thai players led by Thongchai Jaidee, Prom Meesawat and Thaworn Wiratchant. Commenting on the outstanding quality of the players assembling in Phuket next week, Johnnie Walker Global Brand Director, Ben Anderson said: “Next week is going to be a highlight of the social and sporting calendar for Thailand as many of the world’s best golfers converge on Phuket to battle it out at our great tournament. We warmly welcome all of the players and look forward to some inspiring performances.”A WEEK OF GREAT PARTIES The Johnnie Walker Classic is also famous on the golf circuit for hosting the best parties and entertainment of any golf tournament. The 2007 tournament will be no exception. The week will start on Tuesday with handful of the top stars including Els, Scott, Weir, Montgomerie, Casey, Thongchai, Torrance, Woosnam and Zhang enjoying a lighthearted challenge on the Phuket Laguna Lagoon challenging each other to chip balls onto a floating green. This will be followed by a stunning Welcome Dinner at Phuket town’s Old House, an historic venue about to undergo complete renovation to become a leading nightspot destination. After 2 days of practice on Monday and Tuesday, the Professionals will join with Amateur golfers in the Pro-Am on Wednesday for a relaxed and friendly competition and a chance to experience the recently upgraded and now even more challenging Canyon Course, a warm up for the main event, which starts on Thursday. On Thursday night a group of the star golfers at the tournament, including Ernie Els, Retief Goosen and Adam Scott will be practicing their skills as barmen, serving Johnnie Walker drinks to VIP guests for both a good cause, the event charity, Johnnie Walker’s “Keep Walking” Thailand Tsunami Fund and to help Johnnie Walker promote messages about responsible drinking. The highlight of the week will again be the Gala Dinner, which will be held at one of Phuket’s most scenic spots, on the beach itself at the Sheraton Grande Laguna. This Dinner for over 800 players and guests will be a stunning night of celebration with Johnnie Walker presenting it’s traditional and prestigious “Keep Walking” awards for Young Golfer of the Year, Asian Golfer of the Year and a new category, Asian Rising Star of the year. There are two things that Phuket can be assured this week, firstly that Johnnie Walker will present the best and most prestigious golf tournament in Asia, and that Johnnie Walker knows how to throw great parties.GREAT PRIZES UP FOR GRABS The 2007 Johnnie Walker Classic will be attracting the best golfers from the European, Asian and Australasian Tours with a bounty of prizes and prize money. The tournament already offers one of the largest prize purses of any tournament on the 2007 Asian Tour schedule with ?1.25m (over 80m Baht) to be won. But in addition to this there are many other prizes to be won. Johnnie Walker is offering a stunningly bottle of a bespoke one-off blend inspired by the most exclusive variant from the House of Walker: Blue Label. Specially hand blended by Johnnie Walker Master Blender Jim Beverage, possibly the greatest Master Blender of current times. This bottle is unique and priceless, and is on offer for the first professional to score a hole-in-one at the 14th hole. Raimon Land are offering another amazing hole-on-one prize, a Condo at the “River” development on the Chao Phraya river in Bangkok worth over $200,000 USD, to the first professional to score a hole-in-one on the 17th hole. But the biggest winner will be the 2007 Johnnie Walker Classic Champion, taking away a prize cheque for first place of ?208,330 (nearly 14m Baht) and also being presented with the stunning trophy. This trophy was designed by Asprey Design studios in London. It is made of sterling silver and silver gilt on a wood plinth and stands 24 inches tall and weighs 15 kilograms. It features a striding man on top of the globe, symbolic of the global nature of the Johnnie Walker Brand. Johnnie Walker will be ensuring that every player walks away with something from the tournament and will be presenting every player in the field of 156 professionals with their own bottle of Johnnie Walker Gold Label, a stunning and decadent 18-year-old “Centenary” whisky blend perfect for celebrating great moments on and off the golf course. More information, please contact: Chaiwat Simawattana 124 Communications Public Company Limited Tel : 0-2662-2266 ext. 237 Cel : 08-9811-7937 Email : [email protected]