19 Feb 2009

Brown low key about Johnnie Walker defence

7:55 am on 19 February 2009

The New Zealand golfer Mark Brown has no great expectations going into the defence of his Johnnie Walker Classic title in Perth.

Brown says he's been struggling with his form but he's hoping the big occasion will spark him into action.

He tees off just before midday in today's opening round with the top Englishman Paul Casey and the Chinese number one Liang Wen-chong.

The $3.6 million tournament at the Vines has drawn a strong European contingent, and the five New Zealanders in the field include the New Zealand number one David Smail and the amateur sensation Danny Lee.

One of the legends of golf, the Australian Greg Norman, makes a rare home appearance at the Classic as he builds towards the US Masters in April.