Corhampton’s Neil Raymond will make his European Tour debut today, at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

The 27-year-old competed in his first professional event last week, in the Challenge Tour’s Kazakhstan Open.

Raymond came close to making the cut there, but his superb effort on day two wasn’t enough to overcome a difficult opening round.

The Hampshire player started with a five-over-par 77 at Nurtau Golf Club, before posting a three-under 69, as he missed out on the weekend by a shot.

Raymond, who turned pro after featuring in the Walker Cup earlier this month, has now received an invite to one of the biggest tournaments on the European Tour calendar.

The event, which has a prize fund in excess of £3m, sees each professional player partner up with a well-known amateur. This year’s celebrities include the likes of Hollywood stars Andy Garcia and Hugh Grant.

The pairs play three rounds, beginning today, as they rotate around the Old Course at St Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns.

On the final day, which is held at St Andrews, the field is cut to the leading 60 professionals, plus ties, and the top 20 teams.

After the tournament, Raymond will head to Frilford Heath next week for the first round of European Tour qualifying school.