Date: October 07, 2008
Author:

Euro stars commit to Classic

English pair Lee Westwood and Paul Casey have confirmed they will tee up alongside Australia&aposs Greg Norman at the 2009 Johnnie Walker Classic in Perth next February. Ranked 12th in the world, Westwood has 29 career victories to his name and has been a member of Europe&aposs Ryder Cup squad on six occasions, including the most recent match in Valhalla. “I&aposm already looking forward to playing in Perth and to the Australian sunshine which will be a welcome change from the European winter,” Westwood said. “It will also be a tremendous challenge to come up against Greg again on his home soil especially after the form he showed at this year&aposs Open Championship.” The last time Westwood met Norman on Australian soil was at the Australian Open in 1997 when the Englishman upstaged the then world No.1 at the fourth hole of a sudden-death play-off in Melbourne to win the title. Casey, 31, was also a member of Nick Faldo&aposs European team at the Ryder Cup and also has six top-10 finishes this year, including equal seventh at the British Open. The Johnnie Walker Classic is tri-sanctioned by the European, Asian and Australasian Tours. The tournament will be held from February 19-22, 2009.