The 1999 Johnnie Walker Classic will be tri-sanctioned for the first time in its nine year history by the European, Australasian and Asian PGA Tours.
The tournament will feature 60 European and 60 Australasian Tour players with the remaining 42 competitors in the starting field of 162 comprising 32 Asian PGA Tour players and ten sponsor invites.
"We are delighted that the Johnnie Walker Classic is making history by becoming the first tournament to be sanctioned by three PGA Tours. It is fitting that the Johnnie Walker Classic, now in its ninth year, should become an official Asian PGA Tour event as the tournament was originally conceived as an Asian event and, of course, has been played in Asia for eight of its nine years. We are confident that the triple sanction of next year's Johnnie Walker Classic will give the event an increased international edge," said Steven Foxcroft, Brands PR Director, United Distillers and Vintners, Asia.
Acknowledged as Asia's premier golfing event, the Johnnie Walker Classic will be staged from November 11-14, 1999. "By changing the event to November 1999, we are able to gain better access to more strategically important markets for Johnnie Walker in Asia," he explained.
United Distillers and Vintners are currently negotiating with prospective host venues as well as with international and Asian players who will be announced at a later date.
Arthur Sanderson, Executive Director of the PGA Tour of Australasia, said: "The Johnnie Walker Classic is one of the world's most significant events, attracting some of the strongest fields in the southern hemisphere. Australasian Tour members look forward to the return of the tournament and its unique international blend of players across the range of Asian settings which the Johnnie Walker Classic visits. I can assure you that the Australasian representation will once again be of the highest level."
Ramlan Dato Harun, Executive Director, Asian PGA, said: "We are delighted that the PGA European Tour and the PGA Tour of Australasia have agreed to tri-sanction the 1999 Johnnie Walker Classic with the Asian PGA.
"It clearly shows the spirit of cooperation that exists within the PGA Tours International Federation with regard to the sanctioning of events, and it is just the sort of development we have been seeking from professional golf in Asia.
"The Johnnie Walker Classic is a truly world-class event and attracts many of the leading players from around the world. Our members will be thrilled to play in such a quality field and I have no doubt it will benefit them immensely. It is a very exciting development for professional golf in the region."
Past winners of the event include some of the game's biggest names including 1997 US Masters champion and World Number One Tiger Woods, 1994 and 1997 US Open champion Ernie Els, six-time major winner Englishman Nick Faldo, 1992 US Masters champion Fred Couples, 1991 US Masters winner Ian Woosnam and two-time Open Champion Greg Norman.
Johnnie Walker has made a significant contribution to golf in Asia, with the flagship of the extensive Johnnie Walker golf programme, the Johnnie Walker Classic, being renowned world-wide for its style and excellence in showcasing the world's top golfers throughout Asia.
The tournament was also recognised last year by the International Special Events Society when it was awarded The Espirit International Event of the Year.
The Scotch Whisky Company is also a supporter of other major golfing events and programmes around the world, which include the Johnnie Walker Super Tour, the Johnnie Walker Asian Golfer of the Month/Year, and the Johnnie Walker Hole-in-One Award.
