October 9, 2002:-Tournament organiser IMG and title sponsor Johnnie Walker announced today that the 2003 Johnnie Walker Classic – the biggest golf tournament in the Asia-Pacific region – will offer record prize money of £1 million when the event returns to Lake Karrinyup Country Club in Perth for the second consecutive year February 13 – 16, 2003. The purse represents a boost of $A285,000 (£100,000) on the 2002 prize money.

West Australian Tourism Minister Clive Brown said that the increased prize money was testimony to the success of the 2002 tournament, adding:

‘The 2002 Johnnie Walker Classic was a fantastic experience for spectators and competitors alike, with world-class golf played within the beautiful natural setting of Perth’s Lake Karrinyup Country Club and a variety of entertainment throughout the city. Importantly, the event generates significant international media coverage and has a very positive economic impact for the State and we look forward to welcoming the event back to Perth in 2003.’

Reigning British Open champion Ernie Els and 2002 Johnnie Walker Classic winner Retief Goosen will be returning to Perth next February to headline a star-studded field. Els, the world number three, finished fourth behind Goosen in Perth this year. He is also a former winner of the Johnnie Walker Classic. Goosen, the world number four and 2001 US Open champion, won by eight strokes at Lake Karrinyup last January after shooting a course-record 63 during the third round.

The famed Lake Karrinyup course is the first venue to host the Johnnie Walker Classic in consecutive years since the event’s debut in Hong Kong in 1990.

For further information, please contact:

Helen Heady of Heady Public Relations on 020 8743 7797 or 07966 491 509.