Five things to know - Swiss Seniors Open

With less than 24 hours to go until the Swiss Seniors Open gets under way at Golf Club Bad Ragaz, Switzerland, we have picked out five things you need to know before the tournament begins.

Past winners on the tee

The Swiss Seniors Open boasts a glittering roll of honour when it comes to past winners and there are many set to tee it up at Golf Club Bad Ragaz this week. Leading the way is Carl Mason, who has won this event a record three times. The Englishman triumphed in Bad Ragaz in 2007, 2008 and most recently in 2010, however one man who could join Mason on three wins is Tim Thelen, who tees it up this week as a two-time winner. Peter Fowler, the 2011 champion, and Paul Wesselingh, who won here in 2013, will also tee it up this week, in addition to the two most recent champions. Philip Golding added his name to the honours board in 2017, before Jean-François Remesy secured an emotional first Staysure Tour triumph last year.

May I introduce you

This week marks a first Staysure Tour appearance for American Bob May. The 50-year-old is best-known for his memorable battle down the stretch with Tiger Woods at the 2000 PGA Championship at Valhalla, a year after he claimed his first career victory at the 1999 British Masters, where he fired a final round 67 on the Duke’s Course at Woburn to see off defending champion Colin Montgomerie by a single shot. The American begins his Staysure Tour career at 11.07am local time on Friday alongside Peter Fowler.

A week of luxury

Golf Club Bad Ragaz has played host to the Swiss Seniors Open since 1997 and the relatively flat course, set against the stunning backdrop of the surrounding mountains, makes this a firm favourite among Staysure Tour members. Golfers enjoy a favourable lie on almost every shot and are usually left with a shot into a green which is on their level, making club selection and yardages all the easier. The newly renovated clubhouse offers some of the best food players will experience on tour this year, as well as the five-star Grand Resort Bad Ragaz offering a stunning place for the players to relax after their rounds.

A memorable victory

One year ago, Jean-François Remesy claimed his first Staysure Tour victory by a single shot at the 2018 Swiss Seniors Open, but it wasn’t without drama. He began the final round as co-leader, but two bogeys in the first five holes saw him tumble down the leaderboard. He showed will to win and the character of a true champion to bounce back on the final nine to secure victory thanks to a two under par 33. Cue a memorable celebration…

Shoot for…your age

The beauty of golf is that it is a game for life. You can play from the moment you are able to stand to the moment your body no longer allows you to swing a club. And if you’re still a true competitor as you reach the twilight of your golfing career, you could even shoot your age, just ask Nick Job. The five-time Staysure Tour winner, who turns 70 next week, achieved the incredible feat of shooting his age in the opening round of his last tournament, the Senior Open Hauts de France by Jean van de Velde. A solitary eagle on the front nine at Arras Golf Resort and a one under par back nine meant he carded a superb 69 to shoot his age for the second time since turning 69 – the first coming at the Willow Senior Golf Classic last August. Time for one last 69 – or better – this week before he turns 70?