GOLF/EUROPEAN TOUR BALLANTINE'S CHAMPIONSHIP:AUSTRALIAN MARCUS Fraser begins the defence of his Ballantine's Championship title this week knowing he is lucky even to be on the tee after a career-threatening neck injury.

Fraser had surgery three months ago, having lost feeling in his right arm.

“If I had not had the operation, I would never have played golf again,” he said yesterday before the start of the €1.9 million tournament near Seoul.

“I probably would have lost the use of my right arm. I wanted to get back to being healthy, so it was a no-brainer to have the surgery.”

Fraser, who won last year’s Ballantine’s tournament on the honeymoon island of Jeju, injured himself in the most innocuous of circumstances.

“At the Australian Open last November, I picked up my son over my head and felt something go in my neck,” he said.

“Over Christmas it just deteriorated. I had an MRI and it showed the disc had prolapsed. I had a couple of days where I couldn’t walk and lost all use of my right arm. The pain was like someone twisting a knife into my neck while I was holding on to an electrified fence.”

Fraser, whose Ballantine’s victory was his first in seven years, made his comeback in January.

“Being defending champion is not something I’ve had to deal with too often, so it’s nice when it does happen,” said the 32-year-old who is ranked 184th in the world.

“It’s certainly nice to have your name on that trophy.”

Lee Westwood, who has just returned to the top of the world rankings, heads a quality field at the event, which is co-sanctioned by the Asian, European and Korean Tours.

American Dustin Johnson has promised to dazzle South Korean crowds with finesse as well as his jaw-dropping length off the tee at this week’s event.

“I’m here to win the tournament,” the 26-year-old said before making his Asian debut.

“I want to come out and contend and have a chance to win,” added Johnson, who averages over 307 yards off the tee, third longest on the PGA Tour.

“There’s other parts to my game besides the driver.”

The world number 12 will have plenty of top competition this week. Three-time major champion Ernie Els, European Ryder Cup players Ian Poulter and Miguel Angel Jimenez and local teenage sensation Noh Seung-yul are also among a quality field.

Johnson admitted the Europeans may have the edge in terms of overseas experience, suggesting PGA Tour regulars could take a leaf out of Europe’s book.

“It’s important to get out and play,” said Johnson, who has produced three top-10 finishes on the PGA Tour this year.

“Obviously the European players are more travelled, they play more events in Asia and also in the States.

“We get comfortable playing on our tour, but you can’t blame us. I think it’s the best tour – a lot of people do. My game is getting better each week and Im looking forward to this week.”

There are five Irishmen in the field this week: Damien McGrane, Shane Lowry, Paul McGinley, Michael Hoey and Gareth Maybin.

Ballantine's

Course: Blackstone Golf Club, Icheon, near Seoul, South Korea

Length: 7,152 yards.

Par: 72.

Prizemoney: €2,2 million, €367,500 for the winner.

Field: 156

First played: 2008.

Winners: Graeme McDowell, Thongchai Jaidee, Marcus Fraser

On TV: Sky Sports.

Weather: Cool, cloudy today. Rain tomorrow and thunderstorms on Saturday. Fair and warm on Sunday.