By Alistair Hogg A star studded international field including Australian Adam Scott has teed off at the Blue Canyon Golf & Country Club in Phuket, Thailand in the 2007 Johnnie Walker Classic (JWC). The $3.1 million event is tri-sanctioned by the PGA Tour of Australiasia, Asian Tour and European Tour and features a host of household names including Scott, Paul Casey, Colin Montgomerie, Mike Weir and South African duo Ernie Els and Retief Goosen. Scott won the event in 2005 at Pine Valley Golf Club in Beijing and aims to become the first Australian to triumph at the Blue Canyon JWC since Greg Norman won there in 1994. The event returns to Thailand after a six year absence when Tiger Woods claimed the 2001 title. American Kevin Stadler will not be defending his title having elected to remain in the States to compete in this week&aposs Honda Classic. Other Australians competing at Blye Canyon this week include Peter Lonard, Gavin Coles, Jarrod Lyle, and Nick O&aposHern who conquered Woods at last week&aposs Accenture World Match Play Championship in Arizona. Meanwhile, Australian Brad Kennedy is the early outright leader after shooting a scintillating seven-under par opening round. The 32-year old started with back-to-back birdies on the front nine and a treble on the back to rocket him up the leader board. A bogey at 14 was the only blemish on an otherwise flawless round. He leads by one stroke from Canadien Mike Weir and Englishman Graeme Storm who are both six-under par. Goosen is in the clubhouse with a round of four-under while Els, Scott and Montgomerie have just commenced their rounds. 2007 Johnnie Walker Classic television times Thursday March 1 – First Round LIVE from 6pm (AEDT) on Fox Sports 2 Friday March 2 – Second Round LIVE from 6pm (AEDT) on Fox Sports 2 Saturday March 3 – Third Round LIVE from 5pm (AEDT) on Fox Sports 1 Sunday March 4 – Final Round LIVE from 5pm (AEDT) on Fox Sports 2