INTERVIEW-Golf-Double delight for Sun City champion Immelman

By Mark Lamport-Stokes

LOS ANGELES, Nov 23 (Reuters) - Trevor Immelman has double cause to be excited about his title defence at next month's Sun City Challenge in his native South Africa.

The 28-year-old has not been back to the venue since winning the tournament 12 months ago and relishes the prospect of being introduced on the first tee as U.S. Masters champion.

"It's going to be great," world number 22 Immelman told Reuters. "It has happened a few times this year and it really is a thrill, being announced as Masters champion. You have to pinch yourself. I still don't think I quite believe it.

"I haven't been down there yet (to Sun City) so there are going to be a lot of people that I will see for the first time since I won. It's going to be a nice thrill."

Immelman, who will defend his Sun City Challenge title from Dec. 4-7, has vivid memories of last year's final round at the Gary Player Country Club where he pipped Britain's Justin Rose by a shot.

"To hear the crowd shouting your name and offering encouragement was a feeling I'd never had before," he said. "When you're playing overseas for most of the year, you don't get that same support when you're winning."

Seven months ago, Immelman achieved much loftier heights when he clinched his maiden major title at the Masters, overcoming a double-bogey at the 16th hole to triumph by three strokes on a day of tricky, swirling winds.

He emulated his childhood hero Gary Player by winning the prized green jacket, relegating world number one and overwhelming favourite Tiger Woods into second place.