A KENT golfer with a passion for martial arts aims to strike a blow to America's PGA Cup hopes this weekend.

Jamie Harris, a fifth kyu grade at ju-jitsu, is part of the 10-man Great Britain & Ireland team bidding to regain the PGA Cup from the USA at The Carrick on Loch Lomond, from September 18-20. And while the stakes are high as GB & Ireland bid to regain the trophy, Harris from Nevill Golf Club in Tunbridge Wells, is set to keep a cool head, thanks to his ju-jitsu training.

"The one thing I have learned from martial arts and ju-jitsu is the importance of being relaxed," he said. "If you're tense, it really is detrimental to your performance, so you've really got to be relaxed."

Fitness fanatic Harris, who has run three marathons, also believes one of ju-jitsu's main teachings applies perfectly to matchplay golf.

"There's an old saying in ju-jitsu that you've got to have ability to adapt and overcome," he added.

"It's the same in golf, you never know what is going to happen and you always get stuff thrown your way, so you've just got to learn to deal with it."

Harris is no stranger to international golf having represented England at the World and Junior Championships., but is still excited at the prospect of taking on the Americans in the Ryder Cup-style format event, which is the most prestigious event for PGA professionals on both sides of the Atlantic.

"It's a big thing to represent your country, and it's nice to play as a pro, because beyond the Ryder Cup, World Cup and the Seve Trophy, they are the only chances you get," he said.

"If you look at America and how many pros they've got to choose from and the facilities they've got, then naturally they tend to be favourites, but in the Ryder Cup and this event it doesn't always work out like that.

"I actually like being the underdog and winning, and hopefully we will."

Harris, who, as an amateur, won the prestigious Carris and McEvoy Trophies, also revels in the challenge of matchplay where he admits his short game prowess can make him a nuisance to opponents.

"I love the matchplay format and have always been quite a good chipper and putter which can be intimidating in matchplay," he said.

"Players really don't like it when they're safely on the green thinking they've won the hole and you've missed the green, but manage to chip in to halve the hole. I quite like doing that, playing that way and being unpredictable."

America will be defending the trophy they won at the Reynolds Plantation, Georgia, two years ago.