"This is actually bringing alcoholic beverages into the modern era, " says Guy Smith, an executive vice president at Diageo, the world's largest distiller and maker of such well-known brands as Johnnie Walker, Smirnoff, Jose Cuervo and Tanqueray.

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The expansion of the existing Leven bottling site was announced in 2009 amid controversy, as Diageo closed down its Kilmarnock bottling plant with long-standing links to the Johnnie Walker brand.

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Hence the marketing push by Diageo, the London-based drinks giant that owns Johnnie Walker.

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But analysts think Diageo has since played a convincing game of catch-up, increasing its advertising spend on brands like Johnnie Walker Black Label and sharing promotional duties with Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy.

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Haig, the talented 6ft 4" 22-year-old South African who won his maiden European Tour title at the Johnnie Walker Classic in 2007 to earn his card for this season, said: "It is all about confidence and I have that right now.

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Geoff Ogilvy of Australia, who finished second at last year's Johnnie Walker Classic, was in second place again, two shots behind Woods at 9-under-par, as was Wayne Ogilvy, also of Australia.

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Diageo of London, whose brands include Johnnie Walker and Smirnoff, this month is looking to add to its controlling stake in Shanghai-listed Sichuan Swellfun.

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