Shiv Kapur's growing reputation received a further boost with an invitation to the prestigious Quinn British Masters golf championship next month.
Kapur, who has taken up membership of the European Tour, will be the only Indian lining up for the 1.8 million pound event which will be held from May 11 to 14 at The De Vere Belfry golf course.
The Asian Tour Rookie of the Year in 2005 received the invitation following consistent showings in European Tour events earlier this season, a media release said.
In 12 appearances this season, Kapur has made 10 cuts with a tied seventh place at the Indonesia Open being his best.
The 24-year-old Kapur has picked up 122,331 euros, which gives him a current position of 58th on the European Order of Merit.
The top 115 will get to keep their card for 2007.
Kapur is also ranked No. 11 on UBS Asian Order of Merit with USD 130,407.
"One of my goals for 2006 has been to do well on the European Tour with an eye to playing the full season in Europe next year.
"That will help in achieving my goal of getting to the US Tour," said Kapur, from South Korea, where he is playing in the GS Caltex Maekyung Open.
"The British Masters experience will also be useful in tuning up for the British Open in July as I will get a good idea of European conditions," said Kapur, who earlier this month became only the fourth Indian to qualify for the British Open.
He finished third after a play-off in the International Final Qualfifying - Asia in Singapore.
Kapur is also hoping to get a few more invitations to Europe after the British Masters.
Traditionally, the event has always attracted strong fields and this year the field for British Masters has been strengthened by the confirmation of Scottish golfers, Colin Montgomerie, Paul Lawrie, Sandy Lyle and Andrew Coltart.
