Greg Norman has persuaded close friend and compatriot Steve Elkington
to make a rare tournament appearance in his Australian homeland
next month.
The Houston-based former USPGA champion has agreed to play in the
Greg Norman International, which is co-sanctioned by the European
Tour, at The Lakes course, Sydney, from February 8-11.
Elkington has made few appearances in his native land since falling
out with the organisers of the Australian Open in 1995.
"Just after his USPGA win, the Australian Open publicity didn't
include him and he was particularly unimpressed by that," Australasian
Tour spokesman
Julian Buckmaster said.
"His very close relationship with Norman has had a lot to
do with his commitment to appear. It's a huge result for the tournament
to attract someone like Elkington. We weren't that confident of
getting him. There was a bit of an impasse."
Steve
Elkington in action. Allsport.
Elkington's last appearance in Australia was at the Greg Norman
event in 1998.
"It's been a long time since Australians have been able to
see Steve on home ground, and where better to do that than at Sydney's
next biggest sporting event after the Olympics," said tournament
director Monique Thompson.
Buckmaster said that title holder Michael Campbell, top Spaniard
Sergio Garcia, double Australian Open champion Aaron Baddeley and
Sweden's Pierre Fulke, runner-up in the Accenture World Matchplay
Championship, were all confirmed starters.
