Allenby commits to Heineken Classic

The field for the upcoming Heineken Classic has been boosted with the inclusion of Australia's highest ranked golfer, Robert Allenby.

Already the appearance of world no.4 Ernie Els, six-time major winner Nick Faldo, Colin Montgomerie, John Daly and Michael Campbell has given the tournament a strong international presence.

Throw in Australians Greg Norman, Adam Scott, Peter Lonard and Aaron Baddeley, and the $2 million event has one of the strongest fields assembled in this country.

Tournament chairman Tony Roosenburg said the addition of Allenby completed a successful recruiting drive for the event, to be held at Royal Melbourne from January 31-February 3.

"Robert Allenby is the icing on our cake," Roosenburg said.

"We are celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Heineken in Melbourne with a field as good as we have seen in many years."

Allenby, the world no.22 had another excellent year on the US PGA Tour, finishing 16th on the money list with earnings of $US2,309,029 ($A4.46 million).

He won two tournaments and missed the cut just four times in 29 events, recording five top-10 finishes.

"Allenby has proven that he can perform at the highest level," Roosenburg said.

"You don't win four titles on the US Tour without being amongst the world's best."

Allenby, who took out the Australia PGA Championship at Royal Queensland last November, won the Heineken Classic in 1995 when the event was held in Perth.

The 30-year-old has 15 career victories worldwide after turning professional in 1991.

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