The European Tour and Korea PGA have announced that Ballantine's, the world's No.3 Scotch whisky, will title sponsor the inaugural Ballantine's Championship, enhancing the country's growing status in world golf.

The US$2.6 million Ballantine's Championship, which will be held at Pinx Golf Club on the picturesque island of Jeju from March 13-16, 2008, is the first European Tour event to be held in Korea.

The tournament will be an "international" event open to all professionals, meaning entries will be determined by the Official World Golf Rankings rather than a player's position on any particular tour's Order of Merit. Given this criteria, organisers are confident of creating an international field of world class players.

Ballantine's, the undisputed No.1 super premium scotch in Korea and throughout Asia, is title sponsoring the event for a minimum of three years.

"It is our privilege to help bring this prestigious new tournament to Korea," said Christian Porta, Chairman and CEO of Chivas Brothers, which owns Ballantine's.

"Ballantine's is an iconic brand and golf is an iconic sport and together they are a powerful combination which, complimented by live television coverage, will help to increase the popularity of golf in Korea."

The Ballantine's Championship, promoted by Parallel Media Group, has been confirmed as part of the European Tour's 2008 International Schedule, while talks are ongoing to secure the involvement of the Asian Tour.

"We are delighted to welcome Ballantine's into our family of global sponsors and congratulate them, in addition to the Korea PGA and Parallel Media Group, for their foresight, support and vision," said George O'Grady, Chief Executive of the European Tour.

"This is an exciting new territory for the European Tour which meets with our policy to grow the game worldwide and Pinx Golf Club will provide a spectacular venue for the players and fans alike."

The tournament will mark the first time that the European Tour International Schedule has visited Korea and brings to 38 the number of destinations to have hosted Tour events.

"I'm very pleased that this official European Tour event, the Ballantine's Championship, is being held for the first time in Korea," said Korea PGA Vice-Chairman Seoung Ghee Wook.

"The Ballantine's Championship will make a huge contribution to the continuing development of Korean professional golf and will help build a close relationship between Korea and the European Tour.

"We are delighted to join forces with the European Tour and look forward showcasing up to 25 of Korea's best players.

"The Korea PGA is looking forward to working with the European Tour and Ballantine's to ensure that the tournament is an outstanding success."

Korea's influence on the European Tour is already well established, with KJ Choi becoming the first Korean to win a European Tour event when he captured the 2003 German Masters, while compatriot Yang Yong Eun held off a world-class field, including world No.1 Tiger Woods, to triumph in last November's HSBC Champions in Shanghai.

In addition to Yang's triumph, Choi recently captured his fifth US PGA Tour title, the Memorial Tournament, while compatriots Kim Kyung Tae, Bae Sang Moon and Lee Sung have all won on the Asian Tour this year.

"This agreement with Ballantine's is a major development for Korean golf and for our activities in the region," said Parallel Media Group Chairman David Ciclitira.

"Korea is a country of golf enthusiasts and Korean players are emerging at the highest level in both the men's and women's games. It is fitting that the country now has an event of the stature it has long deserved."
 
Pinx Golf Club, located in the southern island province of Jeju, is a state-of-the-art resort with a stunning Scottish moorland-style course set among spectacular lava outcrops with views of Halla Mountain and the Yellow Sea.

Ballantine's Scotch whisky enjoys a special status across Asia and is Korea's favourite super-premium imported Scotch. Ballantine's has won over 60 trophies and medals at international competitions in the past 10 years for quality as a result of its unique richness of character and perfect balance.

Its range, from Ballantine's Finest to the iconic 30 Year Old, is the most extensive in the world of Scotch and is maintained by the latest in a tradition of master blenders that dates back to 1827.