Clarke, McIlroy, Westwood to play in Asian Tour

Bangkok: The Asian Tour has pulled off a coup by signing two Major champions and current world No. 2 Lee Westwood for the season-ending Thailand Golf Championship at Amata Spring Country Club in December.

The trio will headline the USD 1 million showpiece. The inaugural Thailand Golf Championship, a full-field Asian Tour event, will be held from December 15-18, when the battle for the coveted Order of Merit crown will be determined. Amata Spring Country Club, Thailand`s premier golf club, will be the host venue of the latest championship in the region where the event will be broadcast live over four days on the Asian Tour`s global television platform. The winner will receive a cheque of USD 158,500 and also a spot in the World Golf Championship-Bridgestone Invitational 2012. The venue, situated on the outskirts of the capital city, has been golfing event since its launch in 2005. Its signature par three 17th hole stands out impressively as it has a floating green, which is accessible by boat. McIlroy and Clarke, both Northern Irishmen, enjoyed their maiden Major victories this year in stunning fashion. The 22-year-old McIlroy, hailed as a future world number one, crushed the field with a massive eight-shot victory at the US Open at Congressional Country Club in June. McIlroy, the world number five, said: "I have heard so many wonderful things about Amata Spring Country Club and its championship golf course. I`m looking forward to competing in the inaugural Thailand Golf Championship in December with the hope of ending my season on a winning note." Clarke provided one of the most enduring victories at the British Open when the 42-year-old triumphed at Royal St George`s last month for his first Major title. The big Ulsterman said: "I have competed regularly in Asia since the 1990s and I have always enjoyed my time over there playing on top golf courses and against top players from the Asian Tour. It will be wonderful for me to end the year strongly." Westwood will be targeting a third victory of the year in Asia as he produced back-to-back triumphs in April at the inaugural Indonesian Masters and Ballantine`s Championship in Korea. PTI