England’s Simon Dyson held off the brave challenge of Australia’s Andrew Buckle in a  classic head-to-head duel over the Emeralda Golf and Country Club to win the Enjoy Jakarta HSBC Indonesia Open.

A final round of five under par 67 took Dyson to 20 under par 288 and earned him a two stroke victory over Buckle, who battled back from a devastating quadruple bogey eight on the sixth hole to shoot a three under par 69.

It was Dyson’s first European Tour title and sits alongside the three wins he had on the Asian Tour in 200, earning him €137,701 and lifting him from 73rd to 17th on The European Tour Order of Merit.

“It’s been a long time coming,” said the elated Englishman. “A couple of years ago I thought it might never happen. But this year I thought it could more than any other year and to do so early on and get the result, I can’t put it into words how good it feels.”

Dyson and Buckle started the final round three shots clear of the field and when they both birdied the first, it was clear the title would come down to a straight battle between the two leaders. They traded birdies on the third as well before Buckle struck the first blow with a birdie on the fifth.

But the match turned on the sixth when Buckle ran into trouble in the rough and took five to reach the green before three putting. It was a killer blow and Dyson pounced. A magnificent five wood on the seventh hole from Dyson nestled a foot from the pin for a tap in eagle and within two holes he had gone from one behind to four ahead.

“That five wood was one of the best shots I have ever hit,” enthused Dyson later.

But as they walked to the ninth green, play was suspended as lightning lit up the sky. After a two hour delay play resumed but the break had knocked Dyson off this rhythm while Buckle regrouped and came out all guns blazing.

Birdies on the 11th and 12th, where he holed a 30 foot putt, closed the gap to two and momentum was swinging his way. Buckle had another chance on the 14th which slipped by and when he hit his approach to six feet on the 15th, Dyson thought his lead would be down to one. But Buckle’s putt lipped out and Dyson was handed a lifeline.

When Buckle then missed the green on the par three 16th, Dyson thought for the first time the title could be his. Buckle almost holed his chip but Dyson remained two ahead.

Dyson put the matter beyond doubt when he matched Buckle’s birdie on the 17th by holing from 15 feet, pumping the air as he knew that sealed his victory.

Of his vanquished foe, Dyson was full of praise. “I think he is one of the best up and coming players I have seen. It won’t be long before he is sat here. He hits the ball like a top ten player in the world and he is a very good putter. And mental wise I can’t say enough. To make an eight and then throw a few birdies back at me, I don’t know if I could do that.”

Buckle, one of the most promising players to emerge from Australia in recent years, certainly made Dyson fight for his first title.

“I told myself to try and make a game of it,” said Buckle. “I was only four behind and I was hitting the ball well. If I could keep doing what I was doing and be patient and I had chances on the 14th and 15th.

“I’m proud of the way I came back. I could have let him run away with it. But credit to Simon who played great.”

For the record Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand and Wang Ter-chang of Chinese Taipei finished joint third but theirs was a side show as Buckle and Dyson fought for the title.

England’s Simon Dyson is taking the tournament title to heart and enjoying himself as he goes into the final round of the Enjoy Jakarta HSBC Indonesia Open tied for the lead with Australian Andrew Buckle at the Emeralda Golf and Country Club.

Dyson finished a third successive day in a share of the lead and is relishing the experience. A five under par 67, which started with an eagle and two birdies in his first four holes, took him to 15 under par 201 and level with Buckle, who moments earlier came in with an impressive seven under par 65.

It was in Asia that Dyson launched his career with considerable success. Having turned professional in 1999, after playing his part in Great Britain and Ireland’s Walker Cup victory over the United States that year, Dyson swept the board in Asia,  winning three times on his way to claiming the Order of Merit title along with the Rookie of the Year and Player of the Year Honours.

He went on to win his European Tour card at the end of that year through the Qualifying School but is always a welcome visitor to this part of the golfing world.

“This is where I started my golf and I always enjoy coming back,” said Dyson. “I plan on playing about ten events in Asia this year. I love it.”

Dyson got off to the perfect start, drawing level with third round leader Stephen Dodd with an eagle on the first, holing from 20 feet, and then pulling ahead by converting a 12 foot birdie putt on the second. When Dodd bogeyed the third, Dyson stretched his lead further with a birdie on the fourth. He then birdied the two par fives on the back nine for a 67.

“I just want to keep playing as I have been doing and shooting sub-par rounds< added Dyson as he looked ahead to the final round where he will play alongside Buckle. “I think if one of us shoots four or five under tomorrow, it could take it. I am looking forward to it. I have been in a share of the lead every and feel I have responded well.”

With Dodd struggling to regain the form which brought him home in 29 in the second round, Jaidee led the chase. At the turn he was only one adrift but he too lost his way on the back nine, coming home in 38 for a level par 72 to finish five off the lead.

Instead it was Buckle who emerged from the chasing pack. Three birdies on the front nine took him out in 33 and over the back nine he gradually reeled Dyson in with birdies at the tenth, 14th and 16th, where he holed a huge putt across the green. He then edged ahead briefly with a birdie on the 17th before Dyson matched him.

“I’m playing well,” said the 23 year old from Brisbane. “I hit a couple of shots off line but managed to get out of trouble. I’m putting well which is the main thing. I’m just going to give it my best shot tomorrow and see what happens.”

Wang Ter-chang lies third, three shots off the pace at 12 under par 203 after a steady two under par 70 but feels at the age of 43 feels hiss age could count against him in the final push for the title.

“I hope to win and it is good to be in the position I am but at my age it will be very difficult,” he said. “But nothing is impossible.”

After the fireworks of the second round 63, Dodd lost his momentum and dropped back into a share of fourth place on ten under par 206 after a disappointing round of 74. He was joined on that mark by Jaidee, Ireland’s David Higgins (69) and Asian Tour Rookie of the Year Shiv Kapur of India, who made up ground with a six under par 66.

Welshman Stephen Dodd leapt into a two stroke lead in the Enjoy Jakarta HSBC Indonesia Open at the conclusion of the second round after finishing off a sensational nine under par 63 at the Emeralda Golf and Country Club.

Dodd was among the 51 players who returned to the course at 7am to finish their second rounds following the two hour storm delay the previous day, picking up three birdies in his final five holes to complete a back nine of 29.

The 39 year old was downbeat after his battling opening round of 69 on Thursday and went back to his hotel searching for the spark which helped him to win two individual titles and the WGC – World Cup in Portugal for Wales last season. And the feeling returned for his second round on Friday as, after picking up two strokes on the front nine, he reeled off four birdies on the bounce after the turn before play was suspended for the day before darkness fell.

“I could have done with yesterday not being stopped by the bad light but I came back today and finished it off nicely,” said Dodd. “It was a good back nine. I hit it close a lot of times and it has put me in a good position.”

Trailing the leaders by one overnight, Dodd drew level with a five foot birdie on the 15th. Two putts for birdie on the par five 17th earned him the lead and he stretched that to two strokes by holing from 18 feet on the last after a six iron approach.

As to what suddenly clicked into place, Dodd said: “I just went back to the hotel and thought about things a bit and just got a feeling in my minds eye. It is just a feel that all players get and luckily for me I found a feel by just thinking about it and practising in my mind, which luckily I can do quite well.”

Wang Ter-chang of Chinese Taipei also picked up a shot for a round of 68 this morning on his return to the course to join England’s Simon Dyson and Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee on ten under par 134 in a share of second place.

Wang started slowly on the restart and dropped an early shot on the 14th but he finished strongly with birdies on the last two holes to remain among the leaders.

“It was a slow game for me this morning butt overall it’s a good second round,” he commented.

Australian Andrew Buckle, India’s Rahil Gangjee and Swede Wilhelm Schauman lie on eight under par with England’s Benn Barham and Ireland’s David Higgins among the players on seven under par on the completion of their second rounds.

England’s Simon Dyson and Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee are set to rekindle an old rivalry as they head into the weekend sharing the clubhouse lead in the Enjoy Jakarta HSBC Indonesia Open at the Emeralda Golf and Country Club.

A two hour storm delay in the morning did nothing to dampen their spirits as both players added four under par 68s to their opening 66s to move to ten under par 134, although their lead could come under threat with 51 players still to complete their second rounds in the event co-sanctioned by The European Tour and the Asian Tour.

Dyson and Jaidee may have posted the same score but the way they compiled their second rounds could not have been more different. While Dyson was a model of consistency, his card only spoilt by one dropped shot - his first of the week – Jaidee’s round contained a liberal mix of eagles, birdies, bogeys and a double bogey.

In his first 11 holes, the Thai had only three pars and it was not until his 12th hole, the third on the course, that he registered his first four. Prior to that he had made eight threes, two of them for eagle and four for birdie, and three fives. And just as it looked as if he had settled the ship and moved into clear water by pulling two strokes ahead, he three putted his penultimate hole for a double bogey five to fall back into a share of the lead with Dyson.

“In golf, you never know what will happen on every hole,” said Jaidee. “I am happy to be where I am - par or bogey, it’s not a problem. There are two more rounds and I have a chance.”

By contrast Dyson was steady as a rock as he continued to strike the ball sweetly and hole his fair share of putts although his first bogey of the week was down to three putting the 13th. Five birdies more than made amends.

Now Dyson, a three time winner in Asia in 2000, looks set to go head to head with Jaidee, a winner of two joint-sanctioned events and a further four titles in Asia. Both players have also won the Asian Tour Order of Merit, Dyson claiming the title in 2000 while Jaidee followed him in 2001 and then won it again in 2004.

“I have played a lot of golf with Thongchai and we seem to feed off each other pretty well,” said Dyson. “Hopefully I will be paired with him the last two days in the last group. It could be a good contest.”

In confirming honours were pretty even between the two, Dyson added: “He has beaten me a couple of times and I have beaten him a couple of times. He is a fantastic player so hopefully he will inspire me and push me along as well.”

As darkness descended, Swede Wilhelm Schauman came in with a 68 to finish on eight under par alongside Australian Andrew Buckle (69) and India’s Rahil Gangee (67).

Darkness brought an end to the challenges of the afternoon starters who will return to the course at 7am on Saturday to resume their second round. World Cup winner Stephen Dodd heads the list after he picked up six strokes in his first 13 holes to move within a stroke of the leaders at nine under par.
Wang Ter-Chang of Chinese Taipei also lies on nine under par with six holes still to play.

Ireland’s David Higgins started with a bogey but soon got in his stride with four birdies and just one more bogey to advance to eight under par through 12 holes.

Play was suspended for the day at 18.05 local time (11.05 GMT) due to darkness. Round Two will continue at 07.00 local time (00.00 GMT) on Saturday.

The third round will start at 09.30 local time (02.30 GMT) at the earliest with players playing in threeballs in a reverse U draw off two tees so the leaders go out last off the first tee.

Route 66 proved the right road to take in the opening round of the Enjoy Jakarta HSBC Indonesia Open with four players - Simon Dyson of England, David Higgins of Ireland, Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand and Chinese Taipei's Wang Ter-chang - locked together in a share of the lead at the Emeralda Golf and Country Club.

Early starter Higgins was the first to post the six under par score and was soon joined by Wang from the morning session. Jaidee set out in the afternoon and looked as if he might go one better until he bogeyed the last to also shoot 66, with Dyson completing the quartet at the top of the leaderboard with a good up and down on the final hole.

Dyson has enjoyed considerable success in South East Asia, winning three titles in his rookie season in 2000. It was a stunning year in which he won the Asian Tour’s Order of Merit, Rookie of the Year and Players’ Player of the Year awards. Not surprisingly he has made a number of friends out here and today returned their warm welcome with a stunning display.

An eagle on the first hole, where he holed from 20 feet, got the 28 year old off to a flying start and when he birdied the seventh, the hole was starting to look a little bigger. More birdies followed on the 12th, 13th and 15th and he managed to keep a bogey off his card with a good par saving putt from six feet on the last.

“It is always nice after 17 holes without dropping a shot to hole a nice putt on the last,” said Dyson.

Asked why he felt so comfortable in the region, he replied. “I enjoy it a lot. I have a lot of friends out here so every time I come out everyone makes you feel very welcome. The heat is not the best to play in but you forget about it and get used to it.”

Higgins has spent the last couple of weeks acclimatising to the conditions and, despite saying, “There hasn’t been a day in Ireland as hot as this for two thousand years”, looked very comfortable as he rolled in seven birdies with just the one dropped shot on the seventh hole.

“This is a start of a new year for me and I feel fresh, which is the most important thing for me, and that is showing in the scores,” said Higgins, a graduate from last year’s Challenge Tour. “I did everything quite well today and didn’t make many mistakes. Just one major mistake and bogeyed that hole. But overall drove it well and hit my irons well.”

Of the leading quartet Jaidee is potentially the most dangerous. Having won the Maybank Malaysian Open in 2004 and 2005, Jaidee knows what it takes to win an event joint sanctioned by The European Tour and the Asian Tour and in finishing second two weeks ago proved his game is on song. He has also won a further five titles on the Asian Tour and twice won the Asian Tour Order of Merit title.

Like Dyson, Jaidee started with an eagle and followed that with six birdies but bogeys on the sixth and 18th holes, where he missed the fairway on both occasions, cost him the outright lead.

“After Malaysia I worked on my game and I’m pleased with the progress,” said Jaidee. “I came here with a positive feeling and hope to deliver a good result.”

The experienced Wang ended a six year title drought when he won the Macau Open last season and continues to show he is at the top of his game with a fine opening round but also dropped two shots.

“I’m happy with how I performed today,” said the 42 year old. “The greens are similar to the courses in Chinese Taipei so that helped.”

Another four players share lie a shot back on five under par but it was a tough day for two of the pre-tournament favourites as Stephen Dodd of Wales battled to a three under par 69  while Thaworn Wiratchant of Thailand opened his defence of the title with a level par 72.

Stephen Dodd will tee up in the Enjoy Jakarta HSBC Indonesia Open searching for a missing link as he attempts to rekindle the form of 2005 which brought him two individual titles and the WGC - World Cup for Wales.

Dodd, the highest ranked player in the field at the Emeralda Golf Club, enjoyed a sensational 2005 season, winning the Volvo China Open and the Nissan Irish Open before partnering Bradley Dredge to Wales’ first victory in the WGC – World Cup in Portugal since 1987.

But Dodd has struggled to hit the same heights in the early part of the 2006 season, his highest finish being joint 24th, and he hopes some work on his game last week will bring about a change in fortunes.

“My form so far hasn’t been great but your year is based on the whole season and not the first month or two,” he said. “I did a bit of practice last week and the game seems okay so hopefully will be good this week.”

A slight adjustment in his set-up, moving the ball back in his stance, seemed to bring about some improvement on the range but after a disappointing practice in the Pro-Am, Dodd declared: “It’s back to the drawing board.”

While Dodd may be the highest ranked player Official World Golf Ranking here at 92nd, he feels the Asian Tour players have a big advantage playing on home territory. “It is a totally different experience playing in Asia,” he said. “The greens are totally different to back home but the weather is the main difficulty for us as it is so hot and humid and it is difficult to adjust.”

Thailand’s Thaworn Wiratchant, Asia’s Number One player last season, will be defending the title following his success at the Cengkareng Golf Club 12 months ago. Wiratchant won four times on his way to topping the Asian Tour Money List, adding the national titles of Taiwan, Vietnam and India to his victory in Indonesia.

“I do not see myself as the defending champion when I play as I don’t want to put extra pressure on myself,” said Wiratchant, who defends the first of his four titles this week. “I would like to think I am just like any other golfer in the field doing their best and that is what I will do.”

Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand is also a proven winner while another form player is England’s Chris Rodgers, who will be looking to celebrate his 30th birthday in style on Sunday. Rodgers won the Asian Tour Qualifying School in January before going on to win the Pakistan Open the same month.

Charlie Wi of Korea is the current Asian Tour Number One following his victory in the Maybank Malaysian Open two weeks ago, an event which was also joint sanctioned by The European Tour and the Asian Tour.

The weather is likely to be a key factor with storms forecast, particularly on Thursday and Friday.

Thai golfer Thaworn Wiratchant will attempt to pen another chapter for himself in the annals of European Tour golfing history this week when he defends his title in the Enjoy Jakarta HSBC Indonesia Open.

Victory 12 months ago saw the 39 year old follow in the footsteps of his compatriot Thongchai Jaidee by becoming only the second Thai to win on The European Tour. Jaidee made his winning breakthrough in the 2004 Carlsberg Malaysian Open and went on to successfully defend the title the following year, a feat Wiratchant will be hoping to replicate this weekend in the Indonesian capital.

The only difference Wiratchant faces is the fact he will have to defend at a different venue. A year ago, the lover of fast cars was truly in overdrive at the Cengkareng Golf Club, posting three rounds of 63 on his way to a 25 under par total of 255 and a five shot winning margin over Frenchman Raphaël Jacquelin.

This time round the tournament has moved across Jakarta to the Emeralda Golf & Country Club, coinciding with the tournament aligning itself with new sponsors HSBC, meaning the international bank is now involved with three tournaments on The European Tour International Schedule, the other two being the HSBC Champions in Shanghai and the HSBC World Match Play Championship at Wentworth Club.

Wiratchant admitted he was looking forward to the challenge presented by the co-sanctioned event between The European Tour and the Asian Tour. “Winning the Indonesia Open last year was the highlight of my career so far because it was always my ambition to win a European Tour event,” said the man who also enjoyed a highly successful amateur career which included eight victories.

“I have great memories of playing in Jakarta and I am delighted to be returning to defend my title even though we are at a different course. It will be a strong field, but I will give it my best as always.”

Wiratchant’s compatriot Jaidee will again prove a major threat as will China’s Lian-Wei Zhang, who has also tasted success on The European Tour when he memorably birdied the final hole at Laguna National Golf & Country Club in Singapore to pip Ernie Els to the 2003 Caltex Singapore Masters title.

However, there is an abundance of European talent assembling in Indonesia too, all determined to challenge for the lion’s share of the US$1 million prize fund.

Leading the way are two former winner of the PGA Championship title at Wentworth Club, Spain’s Ignacio Garrido and Anders Hansen of Denmark, alongside Stephen Dodd of Wales, who capped his best ever season in 2005 – which included victories in the Volvo China Open and the Nissan Irish Open – by helping his nation win the WGC – Algarve World Cup in Portugal last November.

The staging of the tournament will also represent another big step forward in helping Indonesia as a whole return to normality after the horrors of the Boxing Day Tsunami which devastated the country towards the end of 2004 and which saw more than 125,000 people lose their lives.

During last year’s tournament Paul McGinley and Colin Montgomerie presented a cheque for $100,000 from The European Tour International Relief Golf Fund to the Bank of Indonesia for the Tsunami Aid Appeal and in addition to that, a further $40,000 was raised from a charity auction during the Pro-Am dinner where Ryder Cup memorabilia, signed flags and other items were put under the hammer.

It is planned that further donations from the Fund will be made to the Aceh Primary Care Clinic Programme, which is supported by HSBC and raises money to build clinics in the hugely affected Aceh region, during this year’s event, the 12th counting tournament on The 2006 European Tour Order of Merit.

Governor Sutiyoso of Jakarta, said: “Last year’s event was a major success even though it was organised in the most difficult of circumstances. We are confident that the Enjoy Jakarta HSBC Indonesia Open 2006 will be even better this time around.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for Jakarta in particular and Indonesia in general to showcase their attractions to the rest of the world and portray themselves in a positive light.”

HSBC has been announced as the new title sponsor of the Enjoy Jakarta Indonesia Open, which takes place at Emeralda Golf Club, Jakarta, next week from March 2-5. The tournament will now be known as the Enjoy Jakarta HSBC Indonesia Open 2006 with Asian Number One Thaworn Wiratchant of Thailand defending the title.

"The Enjoy Jakarta HSBC Indonesia Open represents another significant investment in golf by HSBC," said Richard McHowat, Chief Executive Officer of HSBC Indonesia.

"As the world's most international bank, it is fitting that we are involved in a sport with truly global appeal.

"Golf is well established in developed markets and suits the tastes and lifestyles of many HSBC customers. And it is a booming and aspirational sport in regions like Asia, where our Group was founded, and which remains crucial to our business.

"The game very much mirrors HSBC's character and how we like to do business. Internationalism, inclusiveness and integrity are as much characteristics of the sport as they are of HSBC and we are proud of our association with the game."

The Governor of Jakarta, Sutiyoso, hailed HSBC's involvement in the Open.

"It's great news that the tournament has joined forces with such a prestigious title sponsor for the next two years," he said.

"We firmly believe that, with the involvement of HSBC, local government and various other sponsors, the tournament will go from strength to strength and firmly establish Indonesia on the world golfing map."

Keld Kristiansen, Managing Director of event promoter Parallel Media Asia (PMA), welcomed HSBC on board.

"Sponsorship is the lifeblood of sport these days and to have a major global company like HSBC so closely involved is a massive boost for the tournament," he said.

"Everyone involved in the negotiations has worked extremely hard to reach this landmark agreement. This is a great day for Indonesian golf."

Asian Number One Thaworn Wiratchant has already confirmed he will be back to defend his title at next month's Enjoy Jakarta HSBC Indonesia Open 2006.

Joining the Thai star in chasing total prize money of US$1 million will be compatriot Thongchai Jaidee and Chinese Number Zhang Lian Wei.

The tournament will continue to be co-sanctioned by The European Tour and the and Asian Tour as well as the Indonesian Golf Association.

It will once again be promoted by PMA, Asia's biggest golf promoter and a prime mover in resurrecting the event in 2005 after it had been dormant for several years.

Thaworn's five-shot triumph at Cengkareng Golf Club almost a year ago - his first win on The European Tour - was the highlight of a record-breaking season.

The Thai star finished 2005 with four Asian Tour tournament victories and topped the Order of Merit with earnings of US$510,122.

The Enjoy Jakarta HSBC Indonesia Open 2006 is the third HSBC-sponsored tournament on The European Tour International Schedule, along with teh HSBC Champions tournament and the HSBC World Match Play Championship.

Thaworn Wiratchant has confirmed he will be back to defend his title at next month’s Enjoy Jakarta Indonesia Open – and says he is relishing the challenge.

Asia’s Number One will spearhead a strong field at Emeralda Golf Club on March 2-5 in an event that is once again co-sanctioned by The European Tour and the Asian Tour.

Joining Thaworn in chasing total prize money of US$1 million will be fellow Thai Thongchai Jaidee, Chinese star Zhang Lian Wei and Ryder Cup legend Sam Torrance.

“Winning the Enjoy Jakarta Indonesia Open last year was the highlight of my career so far,” said Thaworn. “It was always my ambition to win a European Tour event. I have great memories of playing in Jakarta and I am delighted to be returning to defend my title. It will be a strong field, but I will give it my best."

The governor of Jakarta, Sutiyoso, said Thaworn and his fellow stars would put on a feast of golf for Indonesian fans.

“The Enjoy Jakarta Indonesia Open 2006 will have a top-class field and will focus world attention on the city. It is a great chance for golf fans in Indonesia to watch at first hand some of the game’s best players in action,” he said.

“Last year’s event was a major success, even though it was organised in the most difficult of circumstances following the tragedy of the Asian tsunami. We are confident the Enjoy Jakarta Indonesia Open 2006 will be even better this time around.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for Jakarta in particular and Indonesia in general to showcase their attractions to the rest of the world and portray themselves in a positive light.

“That is why the local government is delighted to be so closely associated with this event and why we are giving it our fullest support.”

The tournament will once again be promoted by Parallel Media Asia, Asia’s biggest golf promoter and a prime mover in resurrecting the Indonesia Open in 2005 after it had been dormant for several years.

The event will continue to be sanctioned by the Indonesian Golf Association (PGI).

“Golf is a boom sport in Indonesia and the Enjoy Jakarta Indonesia Open 2006 will give the game even greater impetus,” said H.E. Jero Wacik, president of the PGI and Minister of Tourism.

“The Emeralda Golf Club has magnificent facilities and will be a perfect venue for the tournament. We’re looking forward to a wonderful event.”

Thaworn’s five-shot triumph at Cengkareng Golf Club almost a year ago – his first win on The European Tour – was the highlight of a record-breaking season. The Thai star finished 2005 with four Asian Tour tournament victories and topped the Order of Merit with earnings of US$510,122.

Thongchai, one of Asia’s best-ever players, has a habit of making history. In 2004, he became the first Thai to win a European Tour event when he captured the Malaysian Open – a feat so significant the Thai government presented him with a diplomatic passport.

Then in February last year, he repeated the victory, making him the first Asian ever to retain a European Tour title.

Zhang, 40, the trailblazer for Chinese golf, has five Asian Tour successes to his credit and string of victories over some world-class players. He made history in 2004 when he earned a rare invitation to play in the US Masters, making him the first Chinese player to tee up at Augusta National.

Torrance, 52, boasts an incredible 21 European Tour victories and recently showed his game has lost none of its edge by finishing Number One on the European Seniors Tour.

He captained Europe to victory in The Ryder Cup at The De Vere Belfry in 2002, 17 years after holing the winning putt at the same venue which ended Europe’s 28 year drought in the event.

Torrance was awarded the MBE in 1996 for services to golf and the OBE in 2003 for his inspired Ryder Cup captaincy.