Darren Clarke to play in Korea’s Tour event

Darren Clarke, the reigning Open Champion, has committed to the only European Tour event in Korea set for this spring, organizers said yesterday.

Organizers of the Ballantine’s Championship announced that Clarke, from Northern Ireland, will play in the April 26-29 tournament, vying for the 2.2 million euros ($2.9 million) in total purse. This is the most lucrative golf tournament held in the country and is co-sanctioned by the European Tour, Asian Tour and Korean Golf Tour.

The 43-year-old won the 2011 Open Championship, also known as the British Open, for his first major title. He has won 14 times on the European Tour and also has three victories on the PGA Tour. This will be Clarke’s first tournament appearance in Korea.

This is the tournament’s fifth year in Korea. After three years on Jeju Island, the event has moved to Blackstone Golf Club in Icheon, Gyeonggi, about 80 kilometers (50 miles) southeast of Seoul. Blackstone will be the host of the tournament until 2013. Yonhap