Miguel Ángel Jiménez and Alexander Norén are the latest to confirm Volvo Golf Champions at Fancourt.

Miguel Ángel Jiménez

Alexander Norén

Spanish star Miguel Ángel Jiménez and Alexander Norén are the latest players to sign up to the European Tour’s first-ever true ‘tournament of champions’ event, the Volvo Golf Champions – Volvo’s 125^th title sponsorship in professional golf  -  at The Links at Fancourt, from 19th – 22nd January.

They join a host of stars already confirmed including Paul Casey, Charl Schwartzel, Retief Goosen, Thomas Björn, Colin Montgomerie, Louis Oosthuizen, Matteo Manassero and the European Tour‘s Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year Tom Lewis in competing for a €350,000 (Approx. US$500,000) first prize and a prize fund of €2million (Approx. US$2,700,000).

Jiménez known as “El Mecánico” for his love of fast cars is one of the game’s most colourful characters and qualifies in the elite category of players that have won more than ten titles on the European Tour. Eight time order of Merit winner, Colin Montgomerie and two-time US Open champion Retief Goosen have also earned their place this way.

Jiménez won three titles in 2010 en route to finishing ninth in the Race to Dubai and marked his 500th appearance on Tour before making a fourth successful appearance in the European Ryder Cup team. The popular Spaniard commented, “This is the first time we will have a season opening tournament specifically for winners on the European Tour and I think the Volvo Golf Champions is a great addition to our schedule. I am really excited to be playing at Fancourt and am ready for a genuine test of Links golf.”

Jiménez, who pushed champion Paul Casey all the way in the inaugural full field Volvo Golf Champions earlier this year, added, “I was disappointed not to win in 2011 so will be hoping that I can put this right as soon as possible in 2012.”

Sweden’s Alexander Norén enjoyed a successful summer, first winning the Wales Open, and then triumphing in spectacular style on home soil in the Nordea Masters. He said, “It is nice to qualify to play in such an elite tournament with only the winners of 2011 qualifying. I think it will be a special atmosphere as it is a limited field at a world-famous venue and I would love to start my year off with a win at such a prestigious tournament.”

The Volvo Golf Champions is an exclusive, limited field event with no halfway cut, open only to European Tour players who have won an event on the previous year’s European Tour International Schedule, the only exception being current Tour Members with more than 10 European Tour victories. An unprecedented gathering of global golfing talent is expected to line up at the world-acclaimed Links at Fancourt, recently voted number one course in the country and originally designed by South African golf legend Gary Player.

For full eligibility criteria and more information please visit www.volvoingolf.com