Revamped Pinx course to challenge world's best at Ballantine's

A new "star" will be unveiled when the inaugural Ballantine's Championship is held in Korea next week.

The tournament course at Pinx Golf Club on the island of Jeju has undergone major renovation, resulting in a tough layout that will test the world's best players.

Designers have lengthened the course by 342 yards and made significant bunker alterations on 16 holes, six of which have been given added protection with new trees.

The 7,345 yards, par 72 layout will be put to tournament use for the first time when the US$2.9 million Ballantine's Championship - the first European Tour event to be held in Korea - is staged from March 13-16.

Korean ace Hur Suk-ho has tried out the new-look course and given it a huge thumbs-up.

"I think it's terrific," said Hur. "I've played a lot of international golf and Pinx compares with some of the best courses I've seen. It will provide a fantastic setting for an international competition.

"It's certainly much more difficult now and the additional obstacles mean players are going to have to think more before playing their shots.

"There are a lot more bunkers than before, especially around the greens. Approach shots are much tougher now."

Adding to the challenge is Pinx's geographical location, which means the course is renowned for its blustery conditions.

Hur - a nine-time winner in Japan - believes that could be a factor in determining the first ever Ballantine's Championship winner.

"Players from the European Tour are familiar with windy conditions and I think one of them will have a good chance if it is blowing next week," he predicts.

The Ballantine's Championship is being headlined by Korean sporting idol and world number six Choi Kyung-ju, British Open champion Padraig Harrington and World Cup winner Colin Montgomerie.

They will be joined by US PGA Tour stars Chris DiMarco and Anthony Kim and Ryder Cup duo Thomas Björn and Paul McGinley.

Yang Yong-eun will join Choi and Hur in flying the flag for Korea while Asian Tour Order of Merit champion Liang Wen-chong of China is also in the field.

Two-time Major winner Sandy Lyle is another star attraction and will also be the tournament's official ambassador.

The tournament, promoted by Parallel Media Group, is co-sanctioned by the European and Asian Tours and the Korea PGA.

Ballantine's is the title sponsor and has committed to the event for a minimum of three years.

March 4 , 2008

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