Ernie Els is to target the South African Airways Open in December as his comeback event after injury.

Els will form part of a world-class field that also includes double US Open champion Retief Goosen, previous champions Tim Clark and Trevor Immelman as well as Ryder Cup team member Ian Poulter and Justin Rose who is to re-join the European Tour from next season onwards.

The second oldest national Open in golf, co-sanctioned by the Sunshine Tour and the European Tour, will be played at The Links at Fancourt in George from December 15 -18 and will feature an increased purse of €1-million, making it South Africa's highest purse for a strokeplay event.

Els, who had to withdraw from international competition because of a knee injury that required surgery, will make his much anticipated comeback in a tournament he has won three times, the last victory coming in 1998.

Goosen makes his return to the Championship he won in 1995 before establishing himself as a major star on international fairways with victories in the 2001 and 2004 US Opens.

Clark and Immelman complete the strong South African challenge. Clark returns as the defending champion following his six-stroke victory at Durban Country Club last year, where he also won his first South African Open in 2001.

And Immelman is hunting his third South African Airways Open after back-to-back wins in the 2003 and 2004 events at Erinvale Golf Club.

Goosen, Immelman and Clark will also travel to Fancourt having represented the International Team in the Presidents Cup matches against the United States.

"South African Airways is thrilled to have four of South Africa's finest golfers confirmed for their National Open," said South African Airways President and CEO, Khaya Ngqula.

"Our sponsorship of this illustrious Championship, and other sports in South Africa, is one of our key priorities for promoting what talent the country has to offer as well as showcasing South Africa to the world. As the most visible ambassadors of the country, Ernie, Retief, Trevor and Tim all encapsulate this."

"We look forward to announcing a host of other major names in the near future although I am particularly delighted that Ian Poulter and Justin Rose will be playing in the event."

"South African Airways are also delighted to be working with Cape Town Routes Unlimited, the Department of Cultural Affairs & Sport and Eden District Municipality in promoting South Africa and look forward to working closely with them as the host partners of the 2006 Championship."

South African Airways would also like to acknowledge the support of various partners and suppliers including Telkom Business, SAP and BMW South Africa whose involvement and contribution is invaluable to the success of the Championship.

"We commend South African Airways for taking the initiative to reschedule the South African Airways Open in the December slot", said Johan Immelman, Commissioner of the Sunshine Tour. "Not only are they assured of a quality field including our top ranked players, but are guaranteed world class golf at The Links at Fancourt."

"I have no doubt that the golfing fans of South Africa are equally delighted as we welcome our very best home for our national championship."

Keith Waters, Director of International Policy for the European Tour, said: "We are delighted that the prize fund for the South African Airways Open at Fancourt has been increased to ?1-million making it the richest full-field strokeplay tournament on the Sunshine Tour."

"As the world's second oldest Open Championship, the event has a special place in golfing history and all the European Tour members are looking forward to visiting Fancourt for the first time in December."

Dr. Neels Steyn, President of the South African Golf Association said "On behalf of the South African Golf Association we would like to thank South African Airways, the Sunshine Tour and the European Tour for ensuring that the South African public gets to see their golfing heroes in action."

The demanding Links course at the Fancourt Hotel and Country Club Estate on South Africa's picturesque Western Cape coast will be a fitting venue for the Championship.

Designed by Gary Player, the Links has quickly established itself as one of the toughest tests of golf.

In 2003 it hosted the Presidents Cup and in 2005 it made history as the home of the first truly global Women's World Cup of Golf.

"The South African Airways Open is one of South African golf's greatest exports, as is Fancourt, and we believe the partnership will only benefit the game," said Kwakye Donkor, the Marketing Director of Fancourt.