Former Ryder Cup colleagues, Paul Broadhurst and Colin Montgomerie, will line-up at Woburn Golf Club this week, both eagerly eyeing up an opportunity to stamp their names in the European Senior Tour record books.
Englishman Broadahurst arrives at the iconic Duke’s Course for the Travis Perkins Masters riding a wave of excitement, having become only the tenth player in Senior Tour history to win on his debut at the Prostate Cancer UK Scottish Senior Open, and the third youngest rookie to achieve that feat.
Montgomerie, meanwhile, tees up with his sights trained on a third successive Travis Perkins Masters title, having triumphed in each of his first two attempts since turning 50. The much decorated Scot would join Carl Mason as only the second player to win the same title three times consecutively, although Mason’s victories in the English Senior Open came in 2003, 2004 and 2006 with the event not played in between.
Broadhurst beat Gordon Manson at Archerfield Links in a play-off for his first victory in nine years, which came just 15 days after his 50th birthday. Now he can replace Brian Barnes in the history books on Sunday by becoming the first player to win both his first two tournaments at the age of 50 years and 23 days.
Barnes currently holds the record by recording his first two victories on his fourth start 20 years ago, so Midlands-based Broadhurst has the opportunity to stamp his authority in his new place of work on the Senior Tour by claiming back to back successes.
Broadhurst, who returned from The 1991 Ryder Cup at Kiawah Island with a 100 per cent record from two starts, admitted he being “stunned and emotional” by his quick-fire win on his debut last week. Howevere he added: “I’m really looking forward to going back to Woburn, having played there a number of times on the main Tour.
I haven’t played the Duke’s Course for many years but I remember it’s a lay-out where you have to keep it on the fairway. I don’t recall ever having had a great finish in all the years I used to play it on the regular Tour but it’s a course I like and think I can do well on. I’m also heard that the Travis Perkins attracted good crowds so I’m looking forward to a really good atmosphere.
“At the moment, I’m just taking it one week at a time. It’s going to take a while to get used to playing on Tour again. It will take a bit of adjustment but I’m really looking forward to it.”
Montgomerie is excited to return to Woburnas he chases a hat-trick of wins in the Travis Perkins Masters on the event’s 15th anniversary.
The Scot, an eight-time winner of the European Tour Order of Merit, winner of three Senior Major Championships and runner up at the 2015 US Senior Open Championship, claimed his first European Senior Tour victory at the Travis Perkins Masters in 2013.
He retained his title with a comprehensive ten shot victory last year, and as he seeks to become only the second player to emulate Mason’s accomplishment almost a decade ago.
“It’s always special to come to the Travis Perkins Masters, especially as reigning champion,” he said. “I’ve had fond memories round here ever since I won the British Masters in 1998, and it was fantastic to get my first Senior Tour win here in 2013 as well.
“The course always looks perfect and the way it sets up seems to suit my game well. Plus we always have great support, some of the best crowds of the season, which all adds to the occasion. I’ve been playing well for the last couple of years now and I’m happy to be able to play competitive golf and challenge for titles.”
While the focus may be shining most brightly on Montgomerie and Broadhurst, Ireland’s Des Smyth has a key objective of his own. Smyth captured the title in 2010 and 2012 and, like Montgomerie, is seeking a hat-trick of successes.
“I’m really looking forward to getting back to Woburn. It’s a great golf course and, next to the Senior Open Championship, the Travis Perkins is the best event we have. It’s certainly the best attended. The crowds always come out for us. We’ve been getting 15,000 to 20,000 people for as long as I can remember and the atmosphere is always fantastic. Having won twice, the tournament is definitely one of my favourites.”
Australians Peter Fowler – winner of two titles already this season – and Peter O’Malley, another rookie on the Senior Tour, will also be in the field along with former Ryder Cup captains Mark James and Sam Torrance and two-time Senior Major Champion, Roger Chapman.
The Travis Perkins Masters runs from Friday to Sunday, with Pro-Am events taking place on Wednesday and Thursday. The prize fund for 2015 has been increased by £20,000 from last year to of £320,000.Travis Perkins plc is the title sponsor for the eighth consecutive edition and has extended its sponsorship of the event until 2018.
