First Australian Masters appearance for Graeme McDowell

ADAM SCOTT, Graeme McDowell and defending champion Ian Poulter will headline the 2012 Australian Masters at the Kingston Heath Golf Club, it was announced today.

Scott, the Australian No.1 and world No.7, has had a high profile year on the world’s golf stage – to say the least – and welcomed the international signings to the event, to be staged November 15 – 18.

“I’m delighted to be returning to play the Melbourne sand belt, and specifically the Australian Masters at Kingston Heath. It will be a great week and it’s fantastic to see top class International players like Poults and Graeme in the field. I’m sure we will see massive crowds and a fantastic tournament,” Scott said ahead of his appearance at the 2012 PGA Championship in South Carolina.

It will be the first appearance by Northern Ireland’s McDowell at the Australian Masters and his first in Australia in seven years.

“It has been a while since I last played in Australia and I have been desperate to get back down there ever since! It’s such a beautiful country with great golf courses, great people and lovely weather.  I am really looking forward to getting back down to Melbourne and playing on the sandbelt again,” McDowell said.

Poulter was a popular winner last year.

“I am delighted to return to Melbourne to defend my title. I thought Victoria Golf Club last year was an outstanding layout and I have heard a lot of great things about Kingston Heath.  I am already looking forward to returning to the sandbelt,” the flamboyant Englishman said.

Aussie golfing icon Greg Norman remains the only player in the 33 year history of the Masters to successfully defend the title.

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