MALTON & Norton Golf Club star David Hague will again represent England - this time in a new mixed-gender tour to Australia.

For the first time, a mixed squad of six players will represent England on a New Year tour down under, taking in four events.

Cara Gainer (Oxfordshire) and Emily Toy (Cornwall) are the first women to take part in the annual trip. They will join Hague, Bailey Gill (South Yorkshire), Ben Jones (Northamptonshire) and Tom Sloman (Somerset).

Jenny Henderson, England Golf Women’s performance manager, said: “This tour is a fantastic opportunity for players to gain competitive experience and prepare for the season ahead.

"I’m delighted that we’ve been able to include two women players this year - I’m sure they will find it hugely beneficial and be great ambassadors for England Golf.”

The squad will play in the Australian Master of the Amateurs at Royal Melbourne (January 8-11), the Australian Amateur at Woodland and Spring Valley golf clubs (January 15-20), the NSW Amateur at Mona Vale and Terrey Hills golf clubs (January 21-24) and the Avondale Amateur at Avondale (January 29 to February 1).

England players have a good record in these events, with recent successes including the wins of Gian-Marco Petrozzi (2018), Scott Gregory (2017) and Paul Howard (2015) in the NSW Amateur.

Hague, 22, toured Australia 12 months previously, when he finished runner-up in the Avondale Amateur and as a quarter-finalist at the Australian Amateur.

He has played in three winning England teams this year - at the European Nations Cup, the Home Internationals and the international against France.