Golf: This year's US Masters champion Trevor Immelman has been awarded Honorary Life Membership of the European Tour in recognition of capturing his first Major at Augusta in April.

The 29-year-old South African was presented as the 32nd Honorary Member by Keith Waters, Director of International Policy for the European Tour, on the eve of the South African Open Championship at Pearl Valley Golf Estates.

Immelman started out on the European Challenge Tour, where he won the 2000 Tusker Kenya Open before going on to win four titles on the main European Tour, this year's US Masters.

He becomes the fourth South African player to be awarded honorary life membership, following in the footsteps fellow Major winners 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.

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.