2011 British Open golf champ Clarke to play in Ho Tram

British Open golf championship 2011 winner Darren Clarke announced on Tuesday that he will play in the inaugural Ho Tram Open, a $1.5 million Asian Tour event scheduled to be held at the Bluffs Ho Tram Strip here between December 3-6.

Clarke, who has won 22 tournaments worldwide and participated in seven Ryder Cups, cited the increasing popularity of golf in Vietnam and the beauty of Ho Tram Strip as reasons for wanting to compete in the highly anticipated tournament.

"All I keep hearing is that the resort and golf course are nothing short of world class," the 2016 European Ryder Cup captain said in an Asian Tour release.

"When I heard more about what the promoters were looking to achieve, it made the decision even easier. It's going to be a great week for everybody with plenty of good golf, excitement and entertainment."

Clarke was unveiled in the event's creative campaign on Tuesday, with the theme 'Asia's Grandest Stage' -- carved out from the resort's unwavering commitment to five-star hospitality and its reputation as Vietnam's epicentre for entertainment.

The Northern Irishman will be joined by a field of 144 players -- including two-time European Tour winner Robert Rock -- that will vie for a purse that is among the largest up for grabs on the Asian Tour calendar this season.