Snooker legend Dennis Taylor to play in Hainan Classic in March

As one of the first players to put snooker on the map in China the tournament organisers requested that the 1985 world champion was added to the £200,000 event held in what has been hailed as ‘the Chinese Hawaii’.

Seven-time world champion Stephen Hendry, reigning Crucible king Neil Robertson and Chinese star Ding Junhui will all feature in the event which starts next Thursday.

"It’s great to be back and I am really excited about returning to playing in what promises to be a fantastic event," Taylor beamed to 110sport.tv.

"In 1985 myself and Steve Davis became the first players to travel out to China and it was an incredible experience.

"I played a Chinese player who was wearing a long tie and had a shirt down to his knees, he couldn’t even make a break of 20 – now we have half a dozen top players from China and Ding Junhui only recently won the Masters."

When questioned on his ability to compete with snooker’s current stars, Taylor admits he may be facing a struggle – although he is adamant if he doesn’t beat them on the table he’ll be victorious on the golf course.

"Hainan looks like a wonderful place and the golf clubs will be travelling with me – I might not beat them at snooker but I will beat them on the golf course.

"Recently I have been playing on the Legends and Seniors Tour so I have been playing however I am not expecting much.