Ash Mansell, the world number 4,998, is living the dream this week on his DP World Tour debut at the BMW PGA Championship.
The Englishman, 36, earned his spot at the prestigious Rolex Series event by winning the PGA Professional Championship at Slaley Hall in June.
A professional since 2012, Mansell has envisioned plying his trade at this elite level of the men's game and now that the moment is here, he is relishing the opportunity.
"It’s amazing," said Mansell. "Something you always strive to do from being a kid is to compete against the highest level and to get here is a lifelong dream achieved."
Mansell claimed a winner's cheque for £15,000 with his victory against a field of PGA professionals from around Great Britain & Ireland, but he is now competing against Major champions and Ryder Cup stars from around the world with a prize purse of $9million on offer.
Alongside his spot at the BMW PGA Championship, he also received starts in the HotelPlanner Tour's Scottish Challenge supported by The R&A and English Open.
In readiness for this breakthrough moment in his career, the Clevedon member opted to miss the English Open after playing his first counting event on the Official World Golf Ranking since 2023 in Scotland in August.
As such, he'd be forgiven for feeling anxious about the week ahead. And yet, he is intent on maximising everything that comes with playing over the West Course at Wentworth Club.
On Monday, he shared a practice round with two-time Major champion Jon Rahm. Only last year, he'd been a fan watching the Spaniard help Team Europe win the Ryder Cup at Bethpage.
Reflecting on that experience of sharing the fairways with one of European golf's stars, he told the DP World Tour: "Well I didn’t knock the ball off the tee at the first which was all right when I was putting it on the peg.
"I just wanted to put my name down with a Ryder Cup player, having been there in September, to make the most of playing with someone from the Ryder Cup.
"So, yeah, I was exceptionally nervous, but he’s a great guy and Pablo [Larrazábal] is lovely and David [Puig] is great as well."
Mansell, who claimed the English PGA Championship title in 2025, is hoping to compete regularly on these stages going forward, having progressed through from First Stage of Qualifying School earlier this month on the number.
With that in mind, what would represent a good week for Mansell?
"Success to me is just hitting great golf shots," he said. "Obviously, I want to be making the cut. That’s goal number one.
"But like every player, you are here to win. Obviously I'm against the world’s best and it’s a new environment to me. So, if I can get to Sunday that would be a great achievement.
"Lots of friends, family, are all coming throughout the week. Hopefully, we can get through all the way to the end of Sunday and give everyone a great time."
