Norman, Villegas head Johnnie Walker golf field

Flashy Colombian Camilo Villegas and US hotshot Anthony Kim will be up against golfing legends Greg Norman and Colin Montgomerie as old meets new at this week's Johnnie Walker Classic.

Britain's Paul Casey, Lee Westwood and the flamboyant Ian Poulter will also feature along with defending champion Mark Brown of New Zealand in the 2.5 million dollar showpiece at The Vines Resort and Country Club.

The nomadic event, one of the region's most prestigious, returns to Australia after devastating wildfires that killed 189 in Victoria and a clutch of top stars took part in a celebrity pro-am to raise funds for victims.

Extreme heat which has plagued the country is also expected this weekend in Perth, where the charismatic Norman, 54, will draw the biggest galleries of Australian fans.

The former world number one is now ranked 212, but the 'Great White Shark' showed he still had bite with his remarkable tied-third finish at last year's British Open.

Norman, who is preparing for a return to the US Masters in April, is also a previous winner of the Johnnie Walker Classic, taking the 1994 title in Phuket.

But while he will be the crowd favourite, the strongest contenders are likely to be Villegas and Kim, considered potential challengers to the long dominance of the injured Tiger Woods.

Villegas, 26, is ranked ninth in the world and is making his third trip to Australia.

The popular Colombian with the unusual 'Spiderman' putting preparation is coming off red-hot form at the end of 2008, winning the last two events on the US PGA tour.

Californian Kim is ranked 11th in the world and is reaping the rewards for a more dedicated attitude, winning two tournaments in 2008 and playing a starring role in the United States' Ryder Cup win.

However, he has been troubled by shoulder soreness in recent months.

The supremely confident Poulter, ranked 31, went winless in 2008 but a second placing in the British Open and superb form at the Ryder Cup were season highlights.

The 35-year-old Westwood finished third in last year's US Open, while Casey, 31, had six top-10 finishes in 2008 to rise to 23 in the world.

Montgomerie, with a stellar career missing only a major title, will be hoping for better fortune than in his two previous visits here for the Classic.

In 2002, he stormed off the course claiming a back injury during a poor second round in the Perth heat, and in 2006 he missed the cut.

Local breezes will be a strong factor, with the usual pattern an easterly in the mornings and the famed 'Fremantle Doctor' blowing from the opposite direction later.

Those teeing off in the morning are likely to be favoured and players will be looking to fully capitalise on the brief break in wind between the shift in directions.

It is the fifth time the Classic has been held in Perth and second time at The Vines after American Kevin Stadler's victory in 2006.

In 1997, 2002 and 2003 it was held at Lake Karrinyup and won by South Africans on each occasion, with Ernie Els's two victories sandwiching Retief Goosen's triumph in 2002.

The tournament has a who's who of former champions with other winners including Woods, Nick Faldo and Ian Woosnam.