Golf Digest:Next year's Johnnie Walker Classic is to remain in Phuket following the postponement of an alcohol advertising ban by Thailand's post-coup government, organisers said yesterday.
Riche Monde, the Thai distributors of Johnnie Walker whisky, said the shelving of the ban meant there was no need to shift the $2.44 million tri-sanctioned tournament to either China or South Korea.
"When we knew the ban was postponed, we wanted it to stay in Thailand," Riche Monde president Vorathep Rangchaikul told Reuters.
"When we heard about the ban we were very scared about it, the organising committee was set to make a decision on another venue, but it wasn't necessary in the end."
As one of a series of measures aimed at winning public support following the September 19th ouster of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Thailand's military-backed government said it would ban alcohol advertising to curb underage drinking.
Adam Scott, Retief Goosen, Ernie Els and Paul Casey have confirmed they will contest the March 1st-4th tournament, which will take place at the Blue Canyon Country Club. American Kevin Stadler won this year's tournament in Perth, Australia.
Meanwhile, India's Jeev Milkha Singh and South Korean Yang Yong-Eun are among 17 players who will make their debuts at next year's US Masters. Also among those earning debuts at Augusta National next April are Colombia's Camilo Villegas, Swede Johan Edfors, US Ryder Cup players J.J. Henry and Brett Wetterich, and Welshman Bradley Dredge.
The 71st Masters will take place from April 5th-8th when American Phil Mickelson defends his title.
And captains Seve Ballesteros and Naomichi "Joe" Ozaki have confirmed their teams for next month's Asia v Europe Royal Trophy match play event in Bangkok.
The two eight-man teams will play fourball, foursomes and singles matches over three days at the Amata Springs Country Club in Bangkok from January 12th.
ASIA:Tetsuji Hiratsuka, S.K. Ho, Thongchai Jaidee, Prom Meesawat, Jeev Milkha Singh, Toru Taniguchi, Thaworn Wiratchant, Yang Yong-eun. Captain: Joe Ozaki.
EUROPE:Darren Clarke, Johan Edfors, Niclas Fasth, Robert Karlsson, Paul McGinley, Henrik Stenson, Anthony Wall, Lee Westwood. Captain: Seve Ballesteros.
