WESSEX Golf Centre duo Michael Watson and Jon Bevan will contest the inaugural English PGA Championship at Goodwood this week.

The two colleagues take to the green this morning for the competition’s Pro-Am before the three-day tournament kicks off tomorrow.

Welsh, Scottish and Irish counterparts have challenged for their own national titles for more than a century and by the end of Saturday, England will crown its first ever champion – with Watson and Bevan both hoping to be in the mix.

Looking ahead to the three-day event, Watson said: “I’ve been swinging the club well lately, but as usual it all depends on the putter with me. However, I’m going into the competition with confidence, expecting to play well.

“Hopefully both of us will play well as it’s a chance to gain points for the England team. It would be great if we could both get in there.

“There are a lot of good players competing so the competition will be fierce but if I perform to the best of my ability I shouldn’t be too far away.”

Both men have the chance to warm up for tomorrow’s showpiece when they join Ryder Cup hopeful Ian Poulter in this morning’s Pro-Am.