Roger Chapman earns European Tour Life Membership

Roger Chapman has been handed a European Tour Honorary Life Membership after a sensational season on the seniors' circuit.

He became the first Englishman to win the Senior PGA Championship in May, and followed his first ever major triumph with another two months later at the U.S. Senior Open.

Those two victories helped him secure the 2012 European Senior Tour Order of Merit, having earned €356,751 in his fourth season on the tour.

And now, in recognition of his achievements in 2012, European Tour Chief Executive George O'Grady has announced he will become the 45th person to receive lifetime membership of the European Tour.

"This season has been an absolute dream for me, winning two Senior Majors and then the European Senior Tour Order of Merit," Chapman told the European Tour.

"I am extremely proud to have now also been given Honorary Life Membership of the European Tour. It is an honour which was totally unexpected and I am very grateful to George and everyone at the Tour for their support and for giving me this recognition.

"I'm very proud of my career on the European Tour, certainly for its longevity, but to win two Senior Majors and the John Jacobs trophy in the same season really is a Cinderella story."

Chapman turned professional in 1981 and has played 619 European Tour events, winning the 2000 Brazil Open and amassing €3,389,855 in the process.

"It was the unanimous wish of the Tournament Committee that Roger be awarded Honorary Life Membership of the European Tour," said O'Grady.

"Roger has been a magnificent ambassador and servant of the European Tour."

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