Immelman scoops Top Award

Trevor Immelman, the 2008 Masters Champion, has been awarded Honorary Life Membership of The European Tour in recognition of his outstanding achievement in capturing his first Major title at Augusta National in April. The 29 year old South African was presented with his Membership card as the 32nd Honorary Member by Keith Waters, Director of International Policy for The European Tour, at the South African Open Championship at Pearl Valley Golf Estates as he continued his season-long quest to win The Race to Dubai on The European Tour International Schedule. Immelman has been a strong supporter of The European Tour since his early professional days on the Challenge Tour, where he won the 2000 Tusker Kenya Open before collecting four titles on The European Tour including his tremendous Masters victory earlier this year. Immelman is the fourth South African player to be awarded Honorary Life Membership of The European Tour, following his fellow Major Champions Gary Player, Ernie Els and Retief Goosen. “I actually have goosebumps just thinking about this,” said Immelman. “It's a cliché, but it's a dream come true to become an Honorary Life Member of The European Tour. I grew up here in South Africa watching professional golf, watching The European Tour, listening to Renton Laidlaw commentate about Seve and Sandy Lyle and Ian Woosnam and all those guys. So for me to join them and become an Honorary Life Member of The European Tour is something that's just extremely special for me and that I will cherish for the rest of my life. “I started my professional career on The European Tour ‑ it must be ten years now, so it's exciting for me. It's also exciting to be part of The Race to Dubai. I think it's been an incredible move by The European Tour. They have created a premiere package and made a big spectacle of what the Tour was, and to get this sort of a system going into the big events at the end of the year in Dubai, it's fantastic. “I travel all over the world, and you know, this move by The European Tour has garnered a lot of interest. A lot of people are talking about it and a lot of people are excited about it. It's an exciting time for The European Tour and it's great for me to be part of that.” George O’Grady, Chief Executive of The European Tour, said: “This award is accorded to very special players who have won Major Championships or contributed significantly to The European Tour. Both of those criteria apply to Trevor, who has been a great ambassador for The European Tour since his early days on the Challenge Tour. “We are delighted to honour a player who has not only played marvellous golf on The European Tour, but displayed considerable fortitude and skill in fending off the challenge from many of the world’s greatest players to capture the Masters Tournament in April.”