Marc Warren said it was "very humbling" to join some of the stars of European golf as he made his 500th DP World Tour start at the Austrian Alpine Open presented by Kitzbühel Tirol.
The Scot becomes the 51st player to join the '500 club', emulating the likes of countrymen Sandy Lyle, Colin Montgomerie, Paul Lawrie and Sam Torrance, and he is the second to reach the landmark this season after Pádraig Harrington at the Qatar Masters in February.
Into his 25th year as a professional, Warren has won DP World Tour titles in Sweden, Scotland, Denmark and most recently at Austria's national open in 2020.
Among other highlights, the 45-year-old was named the Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year in 2006, competed in three of golf's four major championships and reached a career-high 48th in the Official World Golf Ranking in 2015.
Warren's DP World Tour titles
| Event | Year |
|---|---|
| EnterCard Scandinavian Masters | 2006 |
| Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles | 2007 |
| Made in Denmark | 2014 |
| Austrian Open | 2020 |
After carding a two-over 72 in the first round at Golfclub Kitzbühel-Schwarzsee-Reith, Warren reflected on a "rollercoaster" journey that has also seen him win the 2007 Omega Mission Hills World Cup for Scotland alongside Montgomerie.
"It's incredible still just to think about it," he said of the landmark. "Obviously, 25 years, a quarter of a century playing out here pretty much.
"It’s been a roller coaster at times and, looking back, I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.
"You think of the number of players obviously who have played on Tour and how many great careers there have been and the guys who haven't gone to 500, so to still be here 500 not out as they say, still going strong hopefully.
"A few more ahead of me and yeah, it's an incredible group to be a part of, some of the names are a lot of household names but it's very humbling to see my name on that list."
Warren, who made his DP World Tour debut as an amateur in 2001, topped the HotelPlanner Tour Rankings in 2005 to secure his promotion to golf's global tour since when he has made 483 appearances.
"Winning the Scandinavian Masters as a rookie was obviously a great start," he said of his personal highlights.
"And then at Gleneagles, winning in my second year at home in front of so many friends and family just seems like yesterday.
"Winning [in Austria] just after COVID as well, so even the wins have spanned out over almost a couple of decades. I’m very proud of the longevity of it all."
Warren is making his first DP World Tour start this season in Austria as a past champion, having lost his full playing rights in 2023, with his priority being promotion from the HotelPlanner Tour.
Across six starts so far on the 2026 Road to Mallorca, he has two top-15 finishes but for this week he is happy to be celebrating a hard-earned achievement in a country that has brought him success.
"Obviously, it’s an event I've won before as well and I've got good memories of the tournament," he said.
"It's a new venue this year which is absolutely amazing.
"Family are here which makes it extra special, so I’m enjoying the week."
