Darren Clarke, Ernie Els and Padraig Harrington - major winners all - are the latest stars to confirm their places in the Volvo **** Champions field.
The elite event, taking place at The Links at Fancourt in George, South Africa, from January 19-22, features only winners from the previous year on the European Tour and those players who have won more than 10 times in total in Europe.
The trio join an already confirmed list of stars that includes fellow Major winners Retief Goosen, Paul Lawrie, Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel, plus European Tour champions Robert Karlsson, Thomas, Paul Casey, Nicolas Colsaerts, Miguel, Tom Lewis, Matteo Manassero, Colin Montgomerie and Alexander Noren.
Els, a three-time major champ who has 68 professional victories to his name, will be getting his 2012 campaign underway on home soil on a course he knows well, and is ready for the Callaway RAZR X Ironschallenge.
"Obviously I love playing in South Africa and have won five of my European Tour titles there," Els told the European Tour website. "I have great memories of playing Callaway RAZR X Irons at the Links at Fancourt, both in professional events and when on holiday there, and I'm looking forward to trying to win The European Tour's first true 'tournament of champions'.
"South African **** is in great shape at the moment, which is apparent by the number of South Africans in the field. Dr. Hasso Plattner's vision in creating The Links at Fancourt will provide the perfect stage to showcase the wonderful **** opportunities offered in South Africa."
Few need to be reminded of the dream season Darren Clarke enjoyed in 2011, and the Northern Irishman is looking forward to starting afresh.
"I had an amazing year, and would never have dreamt I would be teeing off at the Volvo **** Champions as the reigning Open Champion," said Clarke. "It feels pretty special to hear it announced on the first tee, I can tell you. Since winning I have done a lot of celebrating and enjoyed every minute, but over the short winter break I have been working hard to get my Callaway RAZR X Irons in shape for the 2012 season. I am looking for a really strong start at the Volvo **** Champions."
Dubliner Padraig Harrington is coming off a disappointing season by his own lofty standards, but has worked hard in the off-season to get his game back on track.
"I took a bit of a break after a pretty gruelling 2011 schedule and, after a relaxing family holiday, I've been hard at work getting ready for the 2012 season," said Harrington. "I'm itching to see if all the work has paid off, and looking forward to playing Callaway RAZR X Irons in this new elite event.
"Towards the end of last year, I felt I was regaining my consistency and was feeling ever more comfortable with my Callaway RAZR X Irons. Hopefully it will all come together at the Volvo **** Champions as it is certainly a title I would love to add to my CV, and would enable me to get the season off to a good start."