Eamonn Darcy makes his first start on the European Seniors Tour when he tees up at the Travis Perkins Seniors Masters at the Edinburgh course at Wentworth tomorrow.
The former Ryder Cup star turned 50 on August 7ht and now plans to play in several European Seniors Tour events before crossing the Atlantic to compete in the US Senior Tour Qualifying School in November.
Darcy admits it will be strange to turn his back on the European Tour after more than 30 seasons during which he won four times and amassed almost Stg2 million in official prize money.
"I have got mixed feelings about joining the Seniors Tour," said Darcy.
"It is going to be great to see a lot of guys who I haven't seen for ages but strange that I won't be on the European Tour any more.
"It's going to be a bit of a culture shock."
Darcy was in great form earlier this summer when he finished sixth at the Murphy's Irish Open at Fota Island but he admits to being a bit rusty coming into his first seniors event.
"I have only played one competitive round of golf over the last five weeks which isn't the best preparation, but that's the way it goes," he said.
"My main goal this week is to try to hit a few good shots. The last time I played my golf was none too clever but, if I can improve on that, I could do well."
History suggests the Druids Glen professional will have his work cut out to win.
The last man to win on his seniors debut was South Africa's John Bland who won on his first time out at the 1995 London Masters and then promptly crossed the Atlantic and won the Ralph's Senior Classic as well.
"We will just see what happens," said Darcy.
"Obviously, I would love to win first time out but I am not going to lose any sleep if I don't.
"Christy (O'Connor Jnr) has told me there are a lot of good players out here so I might just have to sit back and wait for my turn to come round."
Darcy hopes to play in two or three more European seniors events this season before heading to America.His goal is to divide his time between competing the seniors tours in Europe and America.
"Ideally, I would like to play about 12 events in the States and about six over here but I'm not sure how practical that would be," he said.
"Certainly, I have got no intention of turning my back on Europe altogether," he added. "There's big money to be won in America, but I am not sure I want to spend all my time over there."
Tony Jacklin is also among the starters in a Wentworth field including Bob Charles, Neil Coles, Bernard Gallacher, Tommy Horton, O'Connor Jnr and last year's winner David Oakley.