CLARKE JOINS RYDER CUP TEAM MATES FOR
GLENEAGLES' JOHNNIE WALKER CHAMPIONSHIP

Ryder Cup hero Darren Clarke has announced that he will join other confirmed team mates in competing in this year’s Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles. Darren will now be one of four winning European Ryder Cup team players, who will tee off on August 30. These include defending champion Paul Casey, Championship chairman Colin Montgomerie and Lee Westwood.

Darren is looking for a strong finish to the season and hopes to build on the momentum of his performance in the US PGA Championship.

A popular member of the European Tour, Darren became the hero of the 2006 Ryder Cup by winning all three of his matches in what was an extremely emotionally charged week.

Darren said: “The PGA Centenary Course at Gleneagles is a great course and hopefully I will be able to shoot some good scores over the duration of the Johnnie Walker Championship and improve on my standing. I am also looking forward to my return to Scotland after the USA PGA Championship - hopefully I can bring some of the American weather back with me!”

Tournament Director, Graeme Marchbank added: “I am delighted that so many of last year’s winning Ryder Cup team have chosen to play at the 2007 Johnnie Walker Championship. It is a great endorsement of the tournament and shows that it has become an important event on the Tour calendar.”

Since its inaugural tournament in 1999, the Johnnie Walker Championship has continued to grow and is now one of the most popular events on the Tour. Previous winners include Adam Scott and Pierre Fulke. Championship Chairman, Colin Montgomerie and defending Champion Paul Casey have also confirmed.

Tickets are priced at £18 for a daily adult ticket (£15 concession) and £35 for an adult season ticket (£25 concession). These are available in advance at The Golf Shop at Gleneagles or by calling 01764 694361. Alternatively tickets will be available at the gate during the tournament