Dame Laura Davies will make history as the first woman to compete in a European Senior Tour event in next year’s Shipco Masters in Denmark.

Four-time major winner Davies will play from the same tees as her male opponents, which will include former Masters champion Ian Woosnam.

The 53-year-old said: “My golfing career has been played in parallel with a number of players who are currently on the Senior Tour, so I’m really looking forward to testing my wits against them.

“It is a privilege to have been invited back to Simon’s Golf Club by Arne and his team, and I’m looking forward to making history on the Senior Tour.”

Club founder Arne Simonsen added: “We had the pleasure of welcoming Laura and her LET colleagues in 2008 at the Nykredit Masters.

“Laura is a great player and has a wonderful personality, and we look forward to welcoming her back to Simon’s Golf Club for the Shipco Masters.”

Laura Davies(Jane Barlow/PA)

The tournament will be staged from June 1-3 2018.

David MacLaren, head of the European Senior Tour, said: “Dame Laura’s participation in this event is an honour for the European Senior Tour.

“She has been one of my golfing heroes since 1996 and this is another example of the European Tour and European Senior Tour being prepared to innovate and look to attract a wider audience to the game of golf.”