Johnnie Walker Classic gets underway amidst strong field

The Johnnie Walker Classic 2008 commenced today will witness the strongest field of professionals so far to have competed on Indian soil. The leading international professionals who will exhibit their golfing excellence at the Johnnie Walker Classic include Adam Scott, Vijay Singh, Ian Poulter, Robert Karlsson, Anton Haig, Colin Montgomerie and Miguel Angel Jimenez.

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Amidst the big foreign names some of India's big golfing stars will also vie for top honours on their home soil. The star grouping of Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) member SSP Chowrasia, Miguel Angel Jimenez and Adam Scott is sure to be one of the biggest draws during the first two rounds.

While Chowrasia is riding high after his success at the Emaar-MGF Indian Masters, world no. 5 Adam Scott is aiming to win his second Johnnie Walker Classic title. The Australian first won the Johnnie Walker Classic in China in 2005.

The third member of this group, Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez is a seasoned campaigner on the European Tour and one of the game’s great characters. He won the UBS Hong Kong Open at the beginning of the 2008 European Tour International Schedule.

Indian ace golfer Jeev Milkha Singh has been clubbed with defending champion Anton Haig of South Africa and Australian Paul Sheehan. This three-ball would be keenly followed by one and all as it consists of one of India’s main hopes Jeev and the defending champion Haig.

Another title favourite Jyoti Randhawa, currently the highest ranked Indian in the official world golf rankings will play alongside Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell who had a tied 12th finish at the Emaar-MGF Indian Masters and Korea’s Lee Sung.

Among the other PGTI members, Arjun Atwal plays alongside Englishman Simon Dyson and Australian Peter Senior, while Shiv Kapur has been clubbed with Aussie Ewan Porter and Frenchman Gregory Havret. Beijing Open champion Gaurav Ghei tees-off along with Swede Johan Edfors and Englishman Oliver Wilson.

The star performers, who will attract maximum spectators in the event, in the different group features Fijian Vijay Singh (world no. 11), Englishman Ian Poulter (world no. 24) and Sweden’s Robert Karlsson (world no. 45).

Scotsman Colin Montgomerie, one of the all-time greats of the sport will have 2007 UBS Asian Tour Order of Merit winner Liang Wen-chong of China and SAIL Open winner New Zealander Mark Brown for company during the first two rounds.