BALLANTINE'S CHAMPIONSHIP RELATED STORIES Ballantine's Championship home page Ballantine's Championship Preview Round 1: Ilonen and Carolan lead the way on 67 Round 2: McDowell heads Jeev for clubhouse lead Round 2: McDowell leads Jeev by two at halfway Round 3: Jeev and McDowell build four shot lead Round 4: McDowell downs Jeev in playoff Final Scores & Prize Money Order of Merit after the Ballantine's Ch'ship About the Pinx Golf Club course Choi is out to impress on home soil Local hero Yang looking for strong support Harrington expects strong Korean challenge Prom looking for repeat of Korean success Wind will play a big role in Jeju, says Ho Choi predicts big impact on Korean golf Asia and Europe's finest to face off at Ballantine's Revamped Pinx course to challenge world's best Yang and DiMarco line up for Ballantine's Ballantine's boost for golf in Korea "Awesome experience" awaits Anthony Kim in Korea Kim Young Kyu to face reality of Tour golf Stellar field for Ballantine's Korea to include Choi AT schedule boosted by Korean and Indian events Full details of the Pinx Golf Club in Jeju ASIAN GOLF TODAY TOP STORIES Liang is Indian wire-to-wire hero Tanihara takes Panasonic title Su Dong's lead cut to two Hole-in-One Jeev shares the lead Korea, Philippines, Italy for World Cup Lu wins record 4th Taiwan Masters Aussie PGA rethinks 'One Asia' GOLF TODAY TOP STORIES Seve has a brain tumor Schwartzel wins by three Johnson wins Texas Open In-Kyung Kim wins maiden title Weibring clinches title with closing 68

Local hero Yang looking for strong support

Korean star Yang Yong-Eun is banking on home support to carry him to a good result at this week’s inaugural Ballantine’s Championship.

The €2 million (US$2.9 million) showpiece – the first European Tour event to be held in Korea – tees off on Thursday at Pinx Golf Club on Jeju Island.

With Jeju’s famously windy conditions likely to be a factor, Yang is predicting conditions similar to tournaments in Europe – but with a crucial difference.

“When I play in Europe, I’ve nobody cheering me on but here, I’ve strong support with all my family and friends around,” he explained.

“The weather conditions are quite tricky in Europe. There are strong winds and it can get a little bit cold, so it‘s almost the same over here.

“The head winds blowing over the 18th hole will prove decisive. You’ve got to be steady with your shots.

“It’s going to be tough, but I’m ready. I believe I’m going to enjoy myself very much this week.”

Yang – who was born on Jeju Island – became a national hero when he claimed a stunning victory ahead of world No.1 Tiger Woods in the HSBC Champions in Shanghai 15 months ago.

Asked about his chances of a similar success in the Ballantine’s Championship, he said: “The field is very strong this week, so if I get into the top 10, I’ll be happy.”

The stellar field is spearheaded by Korea’s world No.5 KJ Choi and British Open Padraig Harrington.

American duo Chris DiMarco and Anthony Kim are also expected to be among the leading contenders.

The Ballantine’s Championship is co-sanctioned by the European and Asian Tours and the Korea PGA.

March 11, 2008