Macclesfield golfer Jamie Donaldson will play his first major in America next week despite falling out of the world’s top 100.
Donaldson, 35, who has yet to win on the European Tour in more than 200 starts, dropped four places to 102nd in the rankings after finishing 45th at the Irish Open.
However, he was still offered a place in the USPGA Championship at the Atlanta Athletic Club, due to start on Thursday.
After securing his place, Donaldson tweeted: "Buzzing just got in the USPGA, yippee."
A former colleague of Luke Donald and Paul Casey in the world amateur team championships, Donaldson's only major appearance was at the 2006 Open at Hoylake.
He’s enjoyed two top-10 finishes on the European Tour this year and won three Challenge Tour events since turning pro in 2000
DE VERE Mottram Hall will be hosting the Europro Tour’s Network Veka Classic 2011 later this month.
Europro Tour events feature some of the best young golfers in the world looking to progress through to the Challenge Tour and the European Tour and it is the world’s leading development golf series.
Local favourites such as Adam Stott, Danny Wardrop and Jamie Howarth will be in the field with the event also covered by Sky Sports.
Entry to the event is free but the club is also looking for volunteers to act as spotters and scorers. Anyone interested in fulfilling these roles can contact the club on 01625 820064.
