Seniors ready for Open
GOLF
THE golfing legends have arrived and will tee it up this week in the 31st Rolex Senior Open Championship at Royal Porthcawl, writes Tony Poole.
Three years after winning glowing praise for the way the tournament was presented, the eyes of the golfing world will tomorrow again focus on the quintessential Lock’s Common club.
Royal Porthcawl to many is the Welsh answer to Pebble Beach in California, and in 2014 Sky television mixed golf coverage with superb pictures of the rugged Bristol Channel coastline.
The biggest names in Senior golf are set to make it another gala event, and this time even Sir Nick Faldo is competing.
The six-time major champion played the US Senior Open last month – won by American Kenny Perry – and is looking for a strong performance ahead of his 60th birthday next month.
The big names returning are led by 2014 Royal Porthcawl champion Bernhard Langer, Scot Colin Montgomerie, Welsh favourite Ian Woosnam, Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez, along with the American duo of Tom Watson and Fred Couples.
Recent European Senior Tour winner Phil Price will also fly the Welsh flag while Spaniard Jose Maria Olazabal, American John Daly, Irishman Paul McGinley and defending champion Paul Broadhurst complete a star cast of senior golfers.
German Langer played immaculate golf in 2014, triumphing by 13 shots, and the display was compared to Tiger Woods winning the 2000 US Open at Pebble Beach by a record-setting 15 shots.
Montgomerie like Faldo has opted to play, as opposed to television work, but the Scot is still recovering from an ankle ligament injury that he picked up back in February.
“Three years ago I was taken aback with Royal Porthcawl – it’s an im- pressive golf course that demands care as you cannot be lucky over four rounds,” said Montgomerie, who finished runnerup to Langer.
“I feel it’s very similar to Turnberry and Royal Birkdale, and on simi- lar lines to these courses the weather could have a bearing.’’
Three years ago, glorious sunshine garnished magnificent golf – hopefully it will be action replay time in 2017.