Last year’s British Open champion, Darren Clarke has accepted invitations to compete in Hainan Island and also Australia later this year.#
Clarke will join USA Ryder Cup player Matt Kuchar, double Major winning John Daly, Masters winner Ian Woosnam along with the world’s greatest-ever Olympian, Michael Phelps and football sensation Ronaldo competing in the Mission Hills World Celebrity Pro-Am from October 18th to 21st at Haikou on China’s Hainan Island.
Also competing in the pro-celebrity event will be former Wimbledon winner Pat Cash along with movie stars Andy Garcia and Liz Hurley.
Former Open Champion Darren Clarke returning to Australia to contest the Australian PGA Championship. (Photo – www.pgatour.com.au)
Haikou was the venue last year of the World Cup of Golf won by the American pair of Kuchar and compatriot Gary Woodland.
And Clarke will also return to Australia for the Australian Masters again being staged at the Coolum course on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast north of Brisbane for the event being played from 13th to 16th December, 2012.
Clarke will join a strong Australian contingent including four-time Australian PGA Champion Robert Allenby, and one of Australia’s most consistent performers on the 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.
Clarke, who visited Coolum for the very first time in 2011 with his Claret Jug in tow, was always a possibility to return in 2012.
Following a week of wining and dining at the now Palmer Coolum Resort, the prolific social media user tweeted at the end of last year’s tournament: ‘Had a great week here in Aus! Thanks to the Aus PGA for having me!! Fantastic tournament and brilliant hospitality!’
He later added: ‘Different professional golf tours around the world cud learn from the Aus PGA…they know how to run tournaments! #thankyou’
“Last year’s Australian PGA was a lot of fun,” Clarke said this week.“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.”
Brian Thorburn, CEO of the PGA of Australia said he was looking forward to welcoming Darren back to Coolum.
“Darren was the ultimate professional and really embraced all that the Australian PGA Championship has to offer. He was a hit with the fans and sponsors alike, and I’m sure he will again be overwhelmed by the support he receives whilst in Australia.”
Aside from the former Open Champion, 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.
