ANOTHER former Ryder Cup captain will be gracing County Durham next month when he appears in the English Senior Open.

Ian Woosnam, who led Team Europe to victory over the United States in 2006, will be teeing off at Rockliffe Hall from Friday, August 22 through until Sunday, August 24 and he is expected to play in the Pro-Am on the Thursday before.

It is another coup for Rockliffe Hall after news that two other former Ryder Cup captains – Sam Torrance and Mark James – will both be competing for the title won by Denmark’s Steen Tinning last October.

Other names confirmed include top Italian golfer Costantino Rocca as well as Barry Lane, Des Smyth and Paul Wesselingh, who won 2013’s Order of Merit.

Woosnam won the US Masters in 1991 and was referred to as one of the ‘Big 5’ along with Seve Ballesteros, Nick Faldo, Bernhard Langer and Sandy Lyle, who dominated world golf in the 80s and 90s. He has won more professional golf tournaments than any other British golfer.

This year’s English Senior Open follows the success of the 2013 tour, which attracted over 5000 spectators to Rockliffe. Tickets can be bought for £10 (Under-16s are free) by visitingwww.englishsenioropen.com or calling 01325 729999.

Chairman of Rockliffe Hall, Warwick Brindle, said: “To have three Ryder Cup captains at Rockliffe Hall in the year that the Cup returns to the UK is a massive coup for the North-East.

“We’re really excited about hosting the event again and welcoming such a fantastic field of players. It’s not only a boost for Rockliffe Hall but our region as a whole as we continue to strive to put the North-East on the golfing map.”