European Tour Player of the Year and World Number 17 Paul Casey has announced his intention to defend his Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles title in August.
After an exceptional season in 2006, during which he became HSBC World Match Play champion and only the fifth golfer in history to have a hole in one during The Ryder Cup, contested at The K Club in September, Casey will return to the Gleneagles Hotel venue where he has won twice before.
His first triumph came in 2001 when he claimed The Gleneagles Scottish PGA Championship, while his Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles victory last year followed his success in the Volvo China Open in April.
Casey joins a field, which includes chairman of the championship Colin Montgomerie, to compete for the £1.4million prize fund from August 30 to September 2.
The tournament will be played over The PGA Centenary Course, which will also host The 2014 Ryder Cup.
Championship chairman Montgomerie, who narrowly missed out on the Open de France ALSTOM title at the weekend, said: “I am delighted that Paul plans to return to Scotland for this year’s tournament.
“The support of a world class player like Paul makes The Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles one of the best events on The European Tour International Schedule and we are thrilled to welcome him again for 2007.”
Casey said: “I am looking forward to playing the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles this year. Having won here twice now I’m really looking forward to playing again.”
Casey is one of a number of exceptional winners the championship has produced since its inception in 1999.
Emanuele Canonica, Pierre Fulke and Adam Scott are among those who have claimed victory.
