Ryder Cup stars McGinley and Westwood line up for Gleneagles

This year s event is the final counting event for players to qualify for the Ryder Cup in September. It is also the event at which Nick Faldo will confirm his own wild card selections.

Both players have had top ten finishes in many European Tour events already this year and will be looking to build on this at the 2008 Johnnie Walker Championship. Lee Westwood, in particular has hit a fantastic run of form lately. Currently placed fifth in the European Tour Order of Merit and at 18 in the world, Westwood had an extremely successful US Open this year, finishing in 3rd place, narrowly missing out on the exciting play off with Tiger Woods and Rocco Mediate.

Graeme Marchbank, Championship Director, said: It is always a pleasure to welcome players such as Paul McGinley and Lee Westwood back to Gleneagles. We know that for some Ryder Cup qualification will be a special focus and for the Scottish golfing public the Johnnie Walker Championship will become an exciting climax to what is proving to be a fascinating race to be in the team.

Colin Montgomerie is Chairman of the Johnnie Walker Championship. He said: This year s event will break new ground when it becomes the first Ryder Cup venue in history at which a Ryder Cup Team is finalised.

We always knew that the special nature of this year s event would make it even more attractive for the players. We re delighted that these well-known names have confirmed. They will certainly help to give the spectators some exciting golf to watch as they continue their own quest for selection.

The prize fund for the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles is £1.4m and it will be played over The PGA Centenary Course from August 28-31.

Tickets are available at the gate each day and are priced at £19 per adult per day, £16 per concession per day, £38 per adult season, £28 per concession season, car parking is free.