Former North Oxford champion Mark Rummings is making his US PGA Tour debut this week after rising to prominence in Florida.

The 28-year-old is playing in the Toshiba Classic at Tampa Bay, alongside Kevin Stadler, son of ex-Masters champion Craig.

Next week, Arnold Palmer has invited Rummings (pictured) to play in the Bay Hill Invitational.

Rummings's opportunity comes after he won the North Florida PGA Section Championship at Lake Jovita in August, shooting 13-under-par for three rounds.

The former Cherwell School pupil's success has been well received at North Oxford, where he was champion from 1996 to 1999.

He also won the BB&O's Penfold Trophy, which was played on his home course. As a junior Rummings played in the same BB&O side as Luke Donald.

Donald's brother Christian caddies for him and Rummings's brother, Neil, is flying over to do the same at Bay Hill.

Recently Rummings has qualified as a US PGA professional.

In 2005 he was awarded the Acushnet PGA Apprentice Scholarship award as the top graduate from the North Florida Section.

He is married and lives with his wife, Kris, in Bradenton, Florida.