ARMITAGE HAPPY HUNTING GROUND

Marcus Armitage is happy to be back in Hamburg as he launches his DP World Tour title defence in this week’s Porsche European Open.

The Englishman stormed through the field with a closing 65 to finish two shots clear of the chasing pack last year and entered the DP World Tour winner’s circle for the first time.

The 34-year-old said it was a “dream come true” to put his name alongside some of the tournament’s past winners, which include Nick Faldo, Bernhard Langer, Ian Woosnam and Colin Montgomerie, and he now has his sights set on becoming a two-time European Open champion.

He told the DP World Tour website: “There’s been some big names who have won this tournament so to be on that trophy next to them is a dream come true and hopefully I can get on there twice.

“My maiden victory was fantastic and it instils belief.

“I’ve had some good results, I’m up there on the top 50 in the (DP World Tour) rankings but I’m not pleased with what I’ve done this year. I haven’t really hit form where I feel like I’m in control. I feel like I’ve always been battling.

“Hopefully I can find a bit of form this week on a few of the memories from last year and win again and then press on for the rest of the season.”

Fellow Englishman Tommy Fleetwood is relishing playing on European soil for the first time this season.

He said: “There’s so many faces and people that I grew up with from the time I turned pro.

“I love the continent and there’s just that familiarity and I enjoy coming back – the way the world of golf is at the moment sends us all over the world and different places.

“When we do get to come back, generally for me, I love competing and playing and seeing people I’ve spent so much of my professional career with.

“I always enjoy seeing them and catching up.”

Aberdeen pair Richie Ramsay and David Law are in the field along with Oban’s Robert MacIntyre and fellow Scots Stephen Gallacher, Scott Jamieson, Craig Howie, Connor Syme, David Drysdale, Marc Warren, Ewen Ferguson and Grant Forrest.