WARRINGTON’S European Tour golfer Tom Murray has revealed the elite player who proved to be an inspiration to him when first starting out in the sport.

“Sergio Garcia was my boyhood hero,” said the 24-year-old from Lymm.

“He broke onto the scene when I was nine years old and he was 19. Ever since then, the charismatic Spaniard has been my hero.

“I have met him. He wouldn’t remember me, of course.”

That could change with Murray earning full playing rights for the first time in 2015.

“I hope so,” said Murray, who tackles the South Africa Open Championship at Glendower Golf Club in Johannesburg from tomorrow, Thursday.

A good debut campaign would help with that and Murray has set his stall out to finish in the top 110 money earners so that he retains his card for 2016 without having to go through European Tour Qualifying School.

Winning events is Murray’s ultimate aim and that is something he is yet to achieve at European level, having also spent two years on the lower tier Challenge Tour.

“I had a lot of success in the North region before I tried on tour,” said Murray, who started out at Lymm Golf Club and turned professional in 2009.

“That came regularly in north west events and it prepared me for the bigger stage I’m on now.”

Murray opened his campaign tied in 100th place in the Alfred Dunhill Championship at Leopard Creek in South Africa last month.

Missing the cut for the second two days of action was a disappointment for him, while also accepting the learning curve of his maiden tour.

Competition this time will be led by the five-time champion Ernie Els, who will draw a large following around the course as will previous major tournament winner Charl Schwartzel, who is yet to taste success in his national Open.

Defending champion Morten Ørum Madsen returns to Glendower in search of the form that saw him win by two from the South African pair of Jbe Kruger and Hennie Otto 13 months ago.

Madsen became only the third continental European to lift the second oldest Open championship in world golf.

Murray is one of 21 players to tee up having earned a place among The Race to Dubai elite at last year’s Qualifying School.