Prayad Marksaeng will make his debut at this week's Senior PGA Championship at Harbor Shores in Benton Harbor, Michigan.
Prayad Marksaeng.
Prayad, 50, earned a place in the major event, which tees off today, thanks to his performance on the Japan Golf Tour.
Prayad has won five times in Japan and is playing on both regular and senior tours in the country this year.
He will be trying to get a good result at Horbor Shores to boost his chance of getting a card for the Champions Tour.
Prayad, who is grouped with Jeff Brehaut and Steve Lowery, said that the course was in good condition although the greens were tough.
"I like links courses," he said.
"My target is to finish in the top 15 so I can play in the tournament again next year."
Several big names are in the 156-player field including two-time defending champion Colin Montgomerie, John Daly and Bernhard Langer.
Meanwhile, Masters champion Danny Willett became the latest golfer to suggest he may skip this year's Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, as he evaluates the threat the Zika virus might pose.
Earlier this week, world No.3 Rory McIlroy said he would have to "monitor" the situation with the virus in Brazil, hinting he might decide against competing.
Englishman Willett feels much the same.
"I'm going to have a sit-down with the guys this week and just double-check everything," Willett said.
"If it turns out that it would be a massive threat to myself or to [his wife] Nick or to Little Man [son], then I probably wouldn't go. Family comes first," he added.