Nick Faldo admitted he was 'aching all over' but still hopes to spring a surprise when the second European Tour event of the season opens in Hong Kong tomorrow.
The six-time major winner is, alongside defending champion Jose Maria Olazabal, the star attraction in the £450,000 (€703,000) Omega Hong Kong Open, being played over the short, par-69 Fanling course.
Faldo has not tasted victory since the Nissan Open in California five years ago, but the dedication which drove him to worldwide success in the late 80s and early 90s does not seem to have diminished.
"The body's done a few million miles of travelling and I've beaten an awful lot of golf balls," the 45-year-old said.