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Kim Young Kyu to face reality of Tour golf

The inaugural Ballantine's Championship has broken new ground by awarding a place in its star-studded line-up to the winner of a reality TV show.

The US$2.9 million tournament - the first European Tour event to be held in Korea - will feature superstars such as KJ Choi, Padraig Harrington and Colin Montgomerie.

Joining them in the starting field will be unheralded Korean pro Kim Young Kyu, winner of the "Road to the Ballantine's Championship" TV shootout.

The reality show on Korea's SBS golf channel kept viewers enthralled throughout January as Kim and other young players battled for a shot at the big time.

Kim prevailed and will make his pro debut in the Ballantine's Championship, to be held on March 13-16 at Pinx Golf Club on the picturesque island of Jeju.

"I feel very nervous that I'll be playing in such a big tournament on my debut," said Kim, 25.

"I feel honoured to have the chance to play in the Ballantine's Championship and I'll be doing my very best to prepare in the time remaining."

Kim went to New Zealand as a teenager to improve his golf game and also excelled at tennis and rugby.

He showed his potential by winning the Korea College Students Tournament last year and then earned his Korea PGA Tour card by finishing second at Qualifying School last November.

The TV show featured some of Korea's most promising young players facing off in a knockout matchplay tournament at Pinx Golf Club.

Kim clinched a one-up victory when he birdied the last hole in the final against Kim Hye Dong - the man who beat him at KPGA Qualifying School.

"We're delighted to welcome Kim Young Kyu to the biggest golf event in Korea," said Jean-Christophe Coutures, president and CEO of Jinro Ballantines.

"We hope that the Ballantine's Championship will serve as a springboard for Korea's young golfers by giving them the chance to compete against world class professionals."

The stellar line-up at Pinx Golf Club will be headed by Korean sporting icon Choi, a seven-time winner on the PGA Tour, British Open champion Harrington and World Cup winner Montgomerie.

Rising Korean-American star Anthony Kim - joint third in the recent Bob Hope Chrysler Classic in California - and Asian Tour Order of Merit winner Liang Wenchong have also been confirmed.

January 30, 2008