ROOKIES LANGLEY AND HENLEY SHARE LEAD IN HAWAII

FROM THE US PGA TOUR WEBSITE

HONOLULU (AP) -- Scott Langley and Russell Henley joked around as if they were a couple of rookies fresh out of college.

They sure don't play like rookies.

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After they set the Sony Open in Hawaii scoring record at 17-under 193 to share the lead, Henley walked into a news conference Saturday evening and realised Langley, who moments earlier had been sitting in the same chair, had left behind his PGA Tour credentials and sunglasses.
Langley came back into the room -- turns out he forgot his golf clubs, too -- and Henley waved the credentials and called out to him, "What a rookie!"
Put them on the golf course, though, and they look awfully tough to beat.
Langley relied on his stinger 3-wood on the fast fairways of Waialae and another solid round putting for a 5-under 65.
Henley took a suspect swing from the range and made it work on the course, turning a so-so round into a 67 by keeping bogeys off his card for the second straight day. He smashed a high draw on the par-5 18th over the bunker and just through the fairway, leading to a two-putt birdie that allowed him to catch Langley.
They have a three-shot lead over South African Tim Clark, who is finally feeling healthy again.
"I'm sure they won't be too intimidated," Clark said. "That's going to be fun to see them play. There's all these young guys coming out these days, and they're ready to go right from the start. So it's going to be a fun battle."
Langley and Henley started the Sony Open playing in the same group, not unusual because rookies are often put at the back end of the draw. They will play together Sunday for the fourth straight day, this time with a lot more at stake.
A chance to become the first rookie to win his US PGA Tour debut since Garrett Willis in the 2001 Tucson Open.
A two-year exemption on Tour.
And the sweet reward of an invitation to the Masters, rare for a rookie.
"A month ago I was at orientation, and Scott just done with q-school, and I gave him a ride to the airport," Henley said. 
"We had lunch and I was telling him how awesome it was I was on the US PGA Tour. This is kind like a dream. It's weird. It's like I'm not awake. Very weird."
Perhaps reality will set in Sunday, though there has been no evidence of that for three days -- not the way these guys putt.
"The Vegas odds on me winning were probably not very good," said Langley, not a betting man himself. "I hope somebody bet on me and I make him a lot of money."
Langley made seven birdies to offset a pair of bogeys. Henley has been steadier, and he carries a streak of 43 holes without a bogey into the final round.
Henley looked relaxed when he finished his round and still feels as though he's playing with house money.
"Win this tournament or not, it's already been a very successful week," said Henley, who won twice on the Web.com Tour late last year to earn his card.
"Obviously, I've played great golf, and I feel like I can compete out here. And I think when I get confidence like that, I can compete. It lets me get out of my way a little bit. It's a long year. Whatever happens tomorrow, I'm going to learn from it."
The rookies have ruled along the shores of Oahu, and if not for Clark, it would have been even more pronounced. Clark made a birdie on the last hole that put him into the final group.
Otherwise, that spot would have been occupied by rookie Scott Gardiner of Australia, who had a 64 and was four shots behind.
student international match 
They were thrilled to be playing together for their rookie debut in the opening two rounds.

Neither had any idea they would still be together going into the final round. Nobody has been able to catch them.
"I never imagined that," Langley said. "It's certainly odd. But you know, if there was a guy in the field that I would love to do it with, it would be Russell because we play pretty similar games, and we're kind of the same guy on the course. We play pretty quickly and pretty easy going, kind of feel our way around, not too technical. So there are a lot of guys that I enjoy playing with, but Russell is definitely one of them."
Langley was two shots behind until a two-putt birdie on the ninth and a short birdie putt on the 10th to tie for the lead. He pulled ahead with a 12-foot birdie putt on the 13th, and after a three-putt bogey, regained the lead with a 15-foot birdie putt on the 15th.
He kept in front with a 7-foot par save on the 17th, but took himself out of an easy birdie chance on the 18th when his ball settled just in front of a large tree root.
In another veteran move, he took a steep swing so that the club narrowly passed over the exposed root and struck the ball cleanly, though it still left him a wedge into the green.
Those expecting to see the rookies get stage fright in the final group on the weekend quickly learned that these aren't ordinary rookies -- at least not on Saturday. Both played with remarkable poise and kept this Sony Open a two-man show.
Except for John Daly, of course, who always manages to keep it interesting. He pulled his tee shot into the hill on the sixth hole, hit a rock and hurt his shoulder.
He made triple bogey, took four shots from 20 feet on the next hole for double bogey, made another triple bogey on the eighth and then holed a 50-foot birdie for a 45 on the front nine. That gave him a 79.
A far more subtle meltdown belonged to Chris Kirk. He was two shots out of the lead when he hit a tee shot into the canal on the par-5 ninth, his next shot out of bounds and made a 20-foot putt to escape with a triple bogey. 
He played the other par 5 much differently, chipping in from 80 feet for eagle on the 18th to salvage a 68. He was five behind.
Henley started the third round with a two-shot lead and he didn't give it up until Langley holed a 12-foot birdie from just on the fringe at the 13th. They play different styles, with Langley hitting low shots with great control, but both of them can putt.
Henley showed that with a number of par saves early on, along with his 15-foot birdie on the second hole and another birdie from about 8 feet on No. 8.
He made nine straight pars after that until his birdie on the last hole.

THIRD-ROUND LEADERBOARD
Par 216 (3x72)
Players from USA unless stated
193 Russell Henley 63 63 67, Scott Langley 62 66 65
196 Tim Clark (South Africa) 64 66 66
197 Scott Gardiner (Australia) 68 64 65, Charles Howell III 66 64 67
198 Matt Jones (Australia) 66 68 64, Daniel Lee (New Zealand) 66 66 66, Pat Perez 68 63 67, Chris Kirk 68 62 68  

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SCOTT JAMIESON LEADS BY FIVE IN VOLVO CHAMPIONS TOURNAMENT

SCOTT JAMIESON ... winner on last appearance in South Africa
PICTURE BY COURTESY OF GETTY IMAGES(c)
 

FROM THE EUROPEAN TOUR WEBSITE
One year on from last-man-in Branden Grace winning the Volvo Golf Champions Scotland's Scott Jamieson could well do exactly the same thing at Durban Country Club tomorrow
The 29 year old from Glasgow will take a five-stroke lead into the final round of The European Tour's opening event of the year.
Jamieson, 15 under par after a 68, is part of the winners-only 33-man field thanks to his victory last month at the Nelson Mandela Championship presented by ISPS Handa - also staged in the South African city.
Grace left it even later to earn his spot 12 months ago, capturing the Joburg Open and then seven days later beating compatriots Ernie Els and Retief Goosen in a play-off at Fancourt. The main threats to Jamieson in the race for the first prize of €350,000 are 2010 Open champion Louis Oosthuizen, Thailand's Thongchai Jaidee and Frenchman Julien Quesne.
They all stand ten under, Quesne posting a 67, but Jaidee only a 73 and Oosthuizen a 74.
Jamieson came into the tournament as a member of the Official World Golf Ranking's top 100 for the first time in his life, but could end it with all manner of exciting possibilities opening up for him.
Never having played a World Golf Championships, he would be looking at a place in next month's 64-man Accenture Match Play in Arizona and being in the top 50 at the end of March would give him a dream debut in the Masters Tournament at Augusta National.
Not bad for someone who failed in his first three attempts to survive The European Tour Qualifying School before coming through the Challenge Tour three years ago.
Oosthuizen held a one shot overnight lead, but went to the turn in a worst-of-the-day 40 and needed three birdies in the next four holes to reignite his hopes.
Jaidee was the first to take advantage, going three clear after birdies at the second and third, but he also took six at the long eighth whereas Jamieson hit a brilliant second shot to five feet and made it for eagle.
That three-shot swing brought him level and he moved three in front by chipping in from 25 yards at the 11th, making a 12 footer on the next and then leaving himself a tap-in at the 339 yard 13th.
The gap became four when Jaidee missed a short putt on the 16th as heavy rain returned and he bogeyed the 273 yard last as well.
Jamieson dropped a shot on the 17th after missing the green, but chipped close at the last to pick up a further stroke.
Of his three iron on the eighth to set up the eagle as Jaidee and Oosthuizen were taking sixes there, Jamieson said: "That definitely got me kick-started.
"It was another great day. I didn't play as well as I did the first two days, especially tee-to-green, but managed to score well and that's the main thing."
As for his early professional struggles he added: "I was just in the abyss, so I guess slumming around in the lower leagues helps build your character. "I was fortunate to keep playing when money was not necessarily being chucked at me." Ireland's Shane Lowry almost won himself a £93,000 lorry on the final green. That is the prize for a hole-in-one on the par four and his drive kicked off the bank of a bunker and was rolling towards the hole, but in the wet conditions pulled up four feet short.
 He eagled it for the second day running - the first came when he sank a bunker shot - and a 70 left him seven under.
Joint fifth one stroke better are his fellow countryman Padraig Harrington (67) and Italian Ryder Cup player Francesco Molinari (68), but Open Champion Ernie Els is ten adrift following a 71.

THIRD-ROUND LEADERBOARD
Par 216 (3x72)
201 Scott Jamieson (Scotland) 69 64 68
206 Thongchai Jaidee (Thailand) 65 68 71. Julien Quesne (France) 72 67 67, Louis Oosthuizen (South Africa) 68 64 74
208 Padraig Harrington (Ireland) 70 71 67, Francesco Molinari (Italy) 70 70 68
209 Danny Willett (England) 69 70 70, Paul Lawrie (Scotland) 69 70 70, Shane Lowry (Ireland) 70 69 70

SELECTED SCORES
212 Richie Ramsay (Scotland) 69 73 70 (T17)
220 Colin Montgomerie (Scotland) 72 78 70 (T29)     

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TIGER NOT WORTH $3MILLION APPEARANCE FEE, SAYS QATAR CHIEF

The oil-rich state of Qatar can afford more than most countries but Tiger Woods' appearance fee for a golf tournament is not one of them. For Tiger to have played in the Qatar Masters (January 23 to 26) would have cost a whopping $3million appearance fee, according to Qatar Golf Association president Hassan al Nuaimi.
 "Tiger Woods demands $3 million just for an appearance, which is not worth paying for a tournament of $2.5 million prize money," he told the Doha News.
Instead, 14-times major winner Woods begins his season at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship next week before returning home to compete in the U.S. PGA Tour's Farmers Insurance Open.
Woods finished tied third in Abu Dhabi last year and has never played in Qatar.
Paul Lawrie will defend his title at the Qatar event where the field includes world number four Justin Rose and American world number nine Jason Dufner.

UNITED STATES HAVE STARTED THEIR WALKER CUP BUILD-UP

FROM THE  USGA WEBSITE

Just before Christmas, 16 United States golfers took part in an informal Walker Cup practice session at Calusa Pines Golf Club in Naples, Florida. 

The three-day session was an opportunity for USA captain Jim Holtgrieve (pictured) to get a first glimpse at potential participants for this year’s Match against Great Britain and Ireland at The National Golf Links of America in Southampton, New York State on September.7-8. 
While an invitation to the session by the USGA was by no means a guarantee of selection to the 10-man team, it did give Holtgrieve, as well as Dan Burton, the chairman of the USGA’s International Team Selection Committee, the chance to see how potential players interacted with each other, both on and off the golf course. 
Holtgrieve, a three-time Walker Cup player who captained the 2011 USA Team to a narrow defeat at Royal Aberdeen Golf Club, offered a few details from the practice session.
What were the biggest positives from this practice session?
Perhaps the biggest was getting all 16 [players] together and getting to know each other. While some did know each other, from the first day they all got along so well. They got a chance to learn about the Walker Cup and what is means to be a Walker Cupper.
What was the agenda each day?
The first day we played singles and just got to know the golf course.  After lunch, we played foursomes (alternate-shot) in the afternoon.  At dinner that night, we had some fun learning about everyone's greatest golf shot.  We found out that among the 18 of us (including team manager Robbie Zalzneck and I) that there have been 68 hole-in-ones. Then we met for a chipping and putting tournament. 
On the second day, we had the same routine, but we played only nine holes of foursomes in the afternoon, as I had my four-hole scramble with everyone. 
We had 18 players and 18 caddies walking down the fairway. We played holes 10, 16, 17, and 18. That was a lot of fun and there was plenty of laughter. We talked more about the Walker Cup that night at dinner and I showed everyone some photographs I had taken of National Golf Links. Again after dinner, we chipped and putted under the clubhouse lights.
The final day, we had the same morning routine, but we only played 16 holes of foursomes as we wanted to allow the players to return home to their families for Christmas.
How did this practice session prepare you for the Match in September?
Number one, we have introduced them to foursomes play. Some had never played alternate shot. Second, we prepared them to represent and play for their country and what that should mean to them. We had [two-time Walker Cup member] Nathan Smith, [2012 World Amateur Team member] Steven Fox and [2011 Walker Cup member] Patrick Rodgers speak to the others about playing for the USA. 
Personally, I focused on their ability to chip and putt as NGLA is a second-shot golf course. Driving distance won’t be as important as the short game.
I was also very impressed how everybody got along. They all were very respectful, very mature and all extremely focused on their respective games. This practice session gave us a head start on building a team that will be focused and will work hard for each other. I did not see that as much in my practice session for the 2011 Match in Scotland.
What did players discuss over the three days?
Max Homa had a hole-in-one on the seventh hole. It played 265 yards and he used a 3-iron. There was lots of conversation about college football and all the upcoming bowl games.
Did any special team building take place?  
Every night the players would gather at the lighted putting green and have a chipping and putting competition. They all had a great time as they would make up various golf shots. I think the four-hole scramble offered a chance for them to relax and chat with each other.
Did you bring in any speakers?
The first night, when everyone arrived, [USGA president] Glen Nager and [USGA vice president] Dan Burton spoke to the group. Glen spoke about the history of the Walker Cup and Dan spoke about the selection process.  
Did anything else come out of the session?
It was a great three days and I am hopeful that all future captains have this opportunity. It starts everyone thinking and preparing to make this team. 
It gives everyone a chance to see each other in a more relaxed atmosphere and share stories and experiences with one another. It is a great building tool for the Walker Cup besides giving the captain an early visualization and knowledge of the respective candidates.

FORMER US WALKER CUP PLAYER BRANNAN DIES AT 57

In 1971, Mike Brannan became the then-youngest U.S. Junior Amateur champion at 15 years, 8 months. (USGA Museum) 

By DAVID SHEFTER, USGA

Mike Brannan, who in 1971 became the then-youngest champion in U.S. Junior Amateur history and later represented the USA on the 1977 Walker Cup Team, died on Jan. 8 in Alamo, Calif., of complications from cancer. He was 57.

Brannan, who grew up in Salinas, California, enjoyed an outstanding amateur career, beginning with his 1971 US Junior Amateur triumph at the age of 15 years, 8 months.
His record stood for 20 years until Tiger Woods, at 15 years, 6 months, surpassed it. Brannan was the equivalent of 12 over par for his six matches that year at Manor Country Club in Rockville, Md., capped by his victory over Robert Steele, of Dunkirk, N.Y., in the 18-hole championship match, 4 and 3. 
The field included medalist (leading qualifier) Curtis Strange, a future two-time U.S. Open champion who lost in the first round, and semi-finalist and future US PGA Tour pro Mike Reid. 
Reid would later become a college teammate of Brannan’s at Brigham Young University.

Last spring, Mike Brannan won the Northern California Golf Association Senior Championship. (Courtesy NCGA)

Brannan was eliminated in the first round the following year in his title defence, but in 1973, he again advanced to the championship match. He defeated future U.S. Open champion Scott Simpson in the semi-finals at Singing Hills Country Club in El Cajon, Calif., before falling in 20 holes in the final to another future PGA Tour player, Jack Renner. It was the first championship match in US Junior Amateur history to go extra holes. Brannan missed a chance to become the first multiple Junior Amateur champion when he missed a 3½-foot putt on the 18th hole. He holed a 30-foot birdie on the 19th hole, only to be matched by Renner’s 9-footer. Renner’s par at the 20th hole sealed the win. Brannan had a memorable summer season in 1973, winning the first of his two California State Amateur titles and the Pacific Coast Amateur at Desert Forest in suburban Phoenix.
He went on to play for BYU, where he was a four-time All-American. In 1975, he won the Utah Open while at BYU.
In 1977, Brannan advanced to the quarter-finals of the U.S. Amateur, losing to eventual runner-up Doug Fischesser at Aronimink Golf Club in suburban Philadelphia, and helped the USA Walker Cup Team to a 16-8 win over Great Britain and Ireland at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club. He had a 1-2 record in the match, teaming with Jay Sigel to win a Saturday foursomes match.
Brannan played professionally on the US PGA Tour  for five years (1979-83), finishing runner-up at the 1979 Houston Open. In the late 1980s, Brannan became a reinstated amateur and a full-time equipment representative for Ping.
He qualified for the 1989 U.S. Amateur at Merion Golf Club, where he eliminated two Walker Cup players on the same day – qualifying medalist Eoghan O’Connell of Ireland and David Eger of the USA – before losing to eventual champion Chris Patton in the semifinals. A year later at Cherry Hills Country Club, Brannan advanced to the quarterfinals, where Eger eliminated him.
Brannan also competed in three U.S. Opens, tying for 22nd in 1982 at Pebble Beach Golf Links, the same course where he won his two California Amateurs. He played in the 1978 Masters as an amateur, receiving his invitation by being a member of the 1977 Walker Cup Team.
“His fluid swing was a thing of beauty,” Ping chairman and CEO John Solheim told Golfweek, adding that he has probably played more golf with Brannan than anyone.  
“I was always so impressed by what he achieved at the amateur level. He was a quiet competitor who usually came out on top.”
Last spring while battling his illness, Brannan captured the Northern California Golf Association’s Senior Championship at Spyglass Hill in Pebble Beach. Solheim said that Brannan never mentioned his illness at that event.
“He was always humble about his achievements,” said Solheim. “Mike leaves a tremendous golf legacy, but he will be remembered for his generous, gentle ways.”
Brannan leaves his wife, Shelley, and two sons, Kyle and Chase.
David Shefter is a senior staff writer for the USGA. Email him at dshefter@usga.org.
 

JAMES SHEFFIELD COMES THROUGH ASIAN Q SCHOOL STAGE 1

NEWS RELEASE FROM ASIAN TOUR

 Hua Hin, Thailand: A total of 46 players from the Asian Tour Qualifying School First Stage Section A progressed to the Final Stage after they made the all-important grade today.

Japan’s Tomoharu Otsuki led a total of 20 players from the Royal Thai Army Sports Centre to the Final Stage which will be held at the Imperial Lakeview Golf Club and Springfield Royal Country Club from January 23 to 26.

The Japanese posted an even-par 72 for a four-day total of seven-under-par 281 to close with a two-shot lead over American Josh Anderson and South Africa’s Christiaan Basson who signed for matching 283s.

At the Imperial Lakeview Golf Club, Korea’s Lee Jun-hak fired a 68 to make it a three-way tie at the top with Thailand’s Jakraphan Premsirigorn and Japan’s Keishiro Nakata. The trio, along with 19 players, ensured their safe passage into the Final Stage with their identical 278s.

Over at the Banyan Golf Club, Spain’s Manuel Quiros, Sweden’s Thomas Petersson, Japan’s Hirohito Koizumi and England’s James Sheffield were the four players who earned their well- deserved places at the Final Stage. 

Quiros emerged as the best player over four rounds after he posted a 68 for a 281 total. Petersson (287) took second place followed by Koizumi (289) and Sheffield (292).

Due to the record number of entries which hit an all-time high of 761 players, the First Stage Section B will be played next week at the Imperial Lakeview Golf Club and Springfield Royal Country Club to accommodate the additional players.

After four rounds, the top 15% players from each venue will qualify for the all-important Final Stage where the top-40 and ties will earn their playing rights on the new 2013 Asian Tour season.

TO VIEW THE QUALIFIERS AT IMPERIAL LAKEVIEW

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TO VIEW THE QUALIFIERS AT ROYAL THAI

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TO VIEW THE QUALIFIERS AT BANYAN GC

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WHERE TO GO TO SWING IN THE SUN IN THE DEPTHS OF A BRITISH WINTER

                 FEBRUARY 9 to 16 AT HAMMAMET

                     Snow and frost on its way ... but not in Tunisia.
                 You can join the five PGA professionals (see below) in the party bound for the Tunisia Golf Festival and Swing in the Sun.

  ALL THE DETAILS ARE ON THE MENARA TRAVEL WEBSITE

                    CLICK HERE 

Royal Aberdeen GC senior assistant professional Joel Hopwood is going to the Tunisia Festival as winner of the North-east Alliance Race to Tunisia prize.
Chris Currie (Caldwell) won the West Alliance Tunisia Trip competition.
Neil Fenwick (Dunbar) won the East Alliance Tunisia Trip prize. 
Fraser Robertson (Elie assistant) won the Midlands Alliance Tunisia Trip prize.
Nicola Melville, the only lady PGA teaching pro at St Andrews, has earned the holiday with her sterling work in another venture which will be revealed on Tuesday.

 

Welcome to Golf Yasmine !

The Yasmine Valley Course (par 71) at Hammamet.  Tunisia Golf Festival Package £995 per GOLFER on ALL INCLUSIVE (Sharing a Double or Twin Room) £769 per NON-GOLFER on ALL INCLUSIVE (Sharing a Double or Twin Room) £60: Single room Supplement (for 7 nights) The prices include  and are based on a direct flight from    MANCHESTER    or LONDON HEATHROW & operated by TUNISAIR

 

CLARKE RULES HIMSELF OUT OF 2014 RYDER CUP CAPTAINCY

FROM THE DAILY TELEGRAPH WEBSITE

 By JAMES CORRIGAN

Darren Clarke has taken himself out of contention to be Europe’s Ryder Cup captain at Gleneagles in 2014, leaving the way clear for Colin Montgomerie to be Paul McGinley’s main challenger in next week’s vote. 

Clarke believes he has one more shot at playing in the biennial match after making a return to form recently. The 44 year-old won the Open less than 18 months ago and feels he can add to his five previous playing appearances.

Although he has been consistent in saying that he would be honoured to be lead Europe one day, that day is now almost certain to be in 2016 in Minneapolis. After his 68 in the second-round of the Volvo Champions yesterday, Clarke said: “As much as I would dearly love to be captain, this may not be my time”.

Clarke employed cryptic language because this is not simply a case of withdrawing one’s candidature. It is not a role which can be applied for, but Telegraph Sport understands he has made his desire known to fellow members on the Tournament Players Committee who will choose Jose Maria Olazabal’s successor in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.

The Northern Irishman’s decision must be respected and will surely serve as a rebuke to those critics who questioned his commitment to golf following his breakthrough at Sandwich in 2011. Clarke’s work-rate only increased as his form dropped off.

“When I was initially mentioned as a potential captain in October I wasn’t playing very well,” said Clarke. “I played much better at the end of last year and have been thinking long and hard about it all over the Christmas break.

“I won one of the biggest prizes in golf by winning The Open and I am exempt for another three years on the PGA Tour. If I was given the opportunity to do the captaincy I’d effectively be throwing two of those years away. It’s a tough one for me, but to be honest with you I want to play golf.”
Henrik Stenson, another member of the committee, hinted at how Clarke’s decision had changed the picture which will confront the 15 men in the UAE capital.
“I would have thought Darren and Paul are the two nominees but there has been some information in the last couple of days that we might consider it differently so I still think it’s more open,” said the Swede.
Speculation will now intensify on a remarkable return to the hot seat for Montgomerie, 28 months after his win at Celtic Manor. While McGinley is the obvious choice – having twice impressed as a Ryder Cup assistant captain as well as a winning Seve Trophy captain – there is a growing sense that Montgomerie, who turns 50, in June could be Europe’s first repeat captain since Bernard Gallacher in 1995.
This would inevitably be seen as a reaction to America reinstating Tom Watson, the last US captain to win on European soil, way back in 1993.
In December, the PGA of America shocked the game by opting for the five-time Open winner, after the US’s seventh loss in nine matches, at Medinah.
Montgomerie’s Perthshire estate is a few miles from Gleneagles and the Scot would guarantee a Tartan presence.
Thomas Bjorn, the chairman of the committee, could also come into captaincy consideration. 

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THE RYDER CUP CAPTAINCY ISSUE 

WIRATCHANT AND ISHIKAWA GET SPECIAL INVITES TO PLAY IN MASTERS

NEWS RELEASE FROM ASIAN TOUR

Thailand’s Thaworn Wiratchant, the reigning Asian Tour number one, was on cloud nine after receiving a special invitation to play in the Masters Tournament in April.

Along with Japan’s Ryo Ishikawa, both players received exemptions from Augusta National Golf Club to compete in the year’s opening Major in Georgia, United States from April 11-14.

“I’m very happy with this good news,” said Thaworn. “When my manager informed me, I initially thought she was joking. I didn’t expect to receive an invitation and I was planning to work hard to break into the world’s top-50 (by end of March) to qualify for the Masters.”

Ranked 68^th in the world, Thaworn wrote a slice of history on the Asian Tour last year by becoming the oldest player at the age of 45 years and 353 days to win the prestigious Order of Merit crown following a season which included three victories.

He will become the fourth Thai after Sukree Onsham, Thongchai Jaidee and Prayad Marksaeng to tee up at Augusta National but is hoping to become the first from his country to play in all four rounds.

“I’ll try to make the cut … that would be the goal. If I don’t make it, then I want to ensure that I had played my best. The players at the Masters are all good players and it is a very challenging golf course,” said Thaworn.

He hopes the Masters invitation will serve as an inspiration to other Asian Tour stars who dream of competing in the fabled tournament.

“This is good for me and certainly good for many other players who want to play in the Masters and the other Majors. If I can make it at my age, the younger players will have a chance as well,” he said.

As a Masters debutant, Thaworn knows he faces an uphill task to make a strong first impression.

“Every year, I watch the Masters on TV and I think to myself that it’s such a difficult golf course. I have spoken to Thongchai and Prayad about their experiences in the Masters previously and I will talk to them again to find out more about the golf course.

“From what I’ve seen, you have to be good in every department, especially around the greens which are very fast and tricky. I am sure it will be really challenging but I am looking forward to my first trip there,” said Thaworn.

Billy Payne, chairman of Augusta National Golf Club, said in a statement on Friday: “The Masters has long established a tradition of supporting the global game, and we were excited to extend invitations to Thaworn Wiratchant and Ryo Ishikawa, who we hope will provide added interest and enthusiasm for golf in Asia through their participation in the tournament.” 

Thaworn, who also won the Order of Merit in 2005, will be making his second Major appearance of his career, having finished tied 31^st at the British Open in 2006. He also holds the Asian Tour record for most career victories with 15 titles.

Asian Tour Executive Chairman Kyi Hla Han said: “The Asian Tour would like to thank Augusta National for extending an invitation to Thaworn to compete in the Masters Tournament in April.

“Thaworn enjoyed a truly remarkable year last season when he won three times en route to becoming the oldest winner of our Order of Merit and I am sure he will represent the Asian Tour proudly in the Masters.

“He has been a source of inspiration to our members throughout his illustrious career and I am confident he will play well at Augusta National. I am sure he will cherish this opportunity to compete in the Masters.”