The Africa Open has joined the European Tour and will make its official debut on the circuit as part of the official 2010 schedule, European Tour officials have announced.

The event will remain at South Africa's East London Golf Club, where Retief Goosen won the 2009 edition of the event on Sunday.

The Africa Open will join the Alfred Dunhill Championship, the South African Open and the Joburg Open as co-sanctioned by the European Tour and the Southern Africa Tour.

OLAZABAL OUT OF QATAR: Jose Maria Olazabal has pulled out of this week's Qatar Masters, but not to avoid questions about the Ryder Cup captaincy.

Olazabal is still battling to regain fitness after suffering rheumatism and is now targeting the Dubai Desert Classic next week for his return to action.

That is where the 2010 European Ryder Cup captain will be named, and it is now thought that Colin Montgomerie could be the choice, with Olazabal being earmarked for the 2012 match in the United States.

HEADING TO PERTH: Anthony Kim and Colin Montgomerie have added their names to the star-studded cast of the Johnnie Walker Classic, which will be played Feb. 19-22 at The Vines Resort & Country Club in Perth, Australia.

The tournament will also feature the legendary Greg Norman of Australia, Camilo Villegas of Colmbia, and England's talented trio of Paul Casey, Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood.

Born in California of Korean origin, Kim recorded his two victories in 2008 at the Wachovia Championship and the AT&T National in sensational style, before going on to secure fourth spot in the FedExCup in only his second year on the PGA Tour in the United States.

Montgomerie overtook England's Nick Faldo as the most prolific British winner on the European Tour when he won his 31st Tour title at the European Open in Ireland in 2007. Only the second European alongside Bernhard Langer to play on five successful Ryder Cup teams, he also has lifted the Harry Vardon Trophy a record eight times.

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