Ryder Cup hero who took down Keegan Bradley set to make senior golf debut

Jamie Donaldson, who secured the winning point for Europe at the 2014 Ryder Cup, will make his Legends Tour debut in Italy next week. 

Donaldson becomes eligible for the senior tour since he turns 50 years old on Sunday. 

The European Legends Tour has confirmed Donaldson will be in the field at the Sergio Melpignano Senior Italian Open at San Domenico Golf in Puglia from 23-25 October. 

Donaldson's arrival on the over 50s circuit gives the Legends Tour a much-needed boost of Ryder Cup quality. 

Other notable European Ryder Cup heroes in the Senior Italian Open field include Ian Woosnam, David Howell, Paul Lawrie and Stephen Gallacher. 

The Welshman is best remembered for having secured the winning point for Paul McGinley's European side at the 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles.

Donaldson's emphatic 5&3 victory over Keegan Bradley saw Europe move to 14.5 points, which was enough for them to sail past the 14-point mark in order to retain the cup they previously won at Medinah. 

He memorably stuffed his approach shot into the 15th to wrap up the Ryder Cup. 

Watch that magic moment here:

McGinley's Europe went on to seal a commanding five-point victory (16.5-11.5) over Tom Watson's Team USA.

Bradley of course skippered Team USA to a 15-13 defeat at last month's Ryder Cup in New York. 

Donaldson did not just deliver in the Sunday singles at Gleneagles either. 

Far from it in fact.

He went 3-1 on the week, winning both of his Friday and Saturday foursomes matches alongside Lee Westwood, who received a pick on the team. 

The 2014 Ryder Cup marked Donaldson's sole appearance on the European team.

He also represented Europe at the EurAsia Cup in the same season.

Donaldson also represented his home nation of Wales in the World Cup in both 2009 and 2011, and Great Britain & Ireland in the Seve Trophy in 2011 and 2013. 

Related:

• Jamie Donaldson on LIV Golf: "Ryder Cup was greatest moment... we all did that for nothing"

Donaldson chalked up a hat-trick of titles on the European Tour, which is of course now the DP World Tour. 

His first win came at the 2012 Irish Open.

Donaldson then won arguably his biggest title at the 2013 Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, which strengthened his Ryder Cup credentials for the following season.

The Welshman then well and truly punched his ticket into McGinley's team when seeing out his third career win at the 2014 Czech Masters a month before the Ryder Cup. 

Donaldson played so well during that period that he finished fourth on the European points list to make the team.

He then vaulted to a career-high 23rd in the world in November 2014. 

Donaldson made 21 major appearances.

His best result in the majors was a T7 at the 2012 US PGA.

Donaldson made his landmark 500th appearance on the DP World Tour at the KLM Open last season.

"I've loved every minute of it," said Donaldson en route to a missed cut. 

Donaldson has played in eight more events since taking him through to 508 DP World Tour events.

Unfortunately he's missed his last three cuts on the circuit this season, with his last once again coming at the KLM Open in June. 

Donaldson has been playing on extension category 11a (membership extension) on the DP World Tour this season. 

Hopefully he will find the going a little easier on the Legends Tour, starting in Italy next week.