Perth gets 2009 Johnnie Walker Classic

The Johnnie Walker Classic golf tournament is to return to Australia early next year.

Organisers have confirmed the tri-sanctioned European, Asian and Australasian Tour event would be held at the Vines Resort and Country Club in Perth from February 19 to 22.

It will be the fifth time Australia has hosted the event, which returns to Western Australia after it was held there in 2006.

The Classic has been played in eight different countries, including China and India, and 13 different golf clubs around the Asia-Pacific region since it began in 1990.

Former champions of the event include Greg Norman (1994), Ernie Els (1997 and 2003), Tiger Woods (1998 and 2000) and Australian Adam Scott (2005).