DARREN CLARKE TO CONTEST AUSTRALIAN PGA CHAMPIONSHIP

MELBOURNE - Former Open Champion Darren Clarke will return to OneAsia in December to contest the Australian PGA Championship presented by Coca-Cola.

The first international confirmation for the 2012 tournament, the affable Northern Irishman -- fresh from vice-captain duties after Europe's memorable Ryder Cup victory at the weekend -- will join four-time Australian PGA Champion Robert Allenby and one of Australia’s most consistent performers on the U.S. PGA Tour this year, John Senden. 

The trio will complement the previously confirmed former tournament champions Greg Chalmers, Greg Norman and Geoff Ogilvy for what is again shaping up to be an impressive field at the Palmer Coolum Resort from December 13-16.

Clarke, who visited Coolum for the first time in 2011 with his Claret Jug in tow, was always a possibility to return in 2012.

Following a week in Australia for the tournament, the prolific social media user tweeted how much he enjoyed his time there.

"Had a great week here in Aus! Thanks to the Aus PGA for having me! Fantastic tournament and brilliant hospitality!"

He later added: “The people and crowds were great last year and it was a really enjoyable week. Australia has always hosted great tournaments and I’m looking forward to coming down again.” 

The Australian PGA Championship presented by Coca-Cola will be the final tournament on both the OneAsia and co-sanctioning PGA of Australasia Tours this year and comes a week after another joint showcase event, the Emirates Australian Open.

Left hander Chalmers won with a par on the first play-off hole a week after claiming the national Open.

Aside from Clarke, the field is set to boast a strong Australian contingent with confirmation that both Allenby and Senden will also contest the country’s oldest professional title. 

Allenby, who has won two of his four PGA titles at Coolum, said he was looking forward to returning at the end of the year.

“It’s always a good place to come at the end of the year,” said Allenby who finished last year’s championship in a tie for second following a play-off with Chalmers and Marcus Fraser.

“It hasn’t been my best year on course so to finish the season somewhere where I’ve had a lot of success will be good.”

Likewise Senden also enjoys the opportunity to play in front of his family and friends, many of whom travel each year to catch up with him on the Sunshine Coast.

“Coolum is one of my favourite places to play golf,” said the Queenslander, who will be hunting his first Australian title since the 2006 Australian Open.

“I've had some pretty good performances at Coolum and my form this year has been solid. So hopefully I can come home and keep it going.”

OneAsia's next tournament is the Nanshan China Masters from October 11-14, followed a week later by the Kolon Korea Open.