Paul McGinley has confirmed he will begin his 2018 season at the Shipco Masters promoted by Simon’s Golf Club, joining fellow former-Ryder Cup Captains Colin Montgomerie and Ian Woosnam in Denmark, from June 1-3.
McGinley, who led Europe to a wonderful win four years ago at Gleneagles, will make his sixth appearance on the European over-50s circuit after joining the Staysure Tour in 2017.
The three-time Ryder Cup winner also joins 2010 captain and Ryder Cup legend Montgomerie and 1991 Masters champion, 2006 winning Ryder Cup Captain and recent World Golf Hall of Fame inductee Ian Woosnam in the 60-person field.
The ex-Ryder Cup Captains are also set to be joined in Denmark by Dame Laura Davies, who would make history by becoming the first woman to compete in a Staysure Tour event. The former Women’s World Number One will battle it out alongside the legends of the Staysure Tour when the Shipco Masters gets underway.
“I can’t wait to get playing in Denmark and start my 2018 season,” said McGinley.
“I was really impressed by the standard on this Tour last year, and to have Dame Laura playing the tournament is a great step forward for golf.
“It’s going to be a really exciting week and I’m looking forward to my first tournament of 2018.”
McGinley featured for the first time on the Staysure Tour last year and recorded his best result at the Farmfoods European Senior Masters in October. The Dubliner finished tied second alongside 2017 Order of Merit winner Clark Dennis and a shot behind winner Stephen Dodd.
“I really enjoyed my time on the Tour last year. There is a lot of fierce competition at all the tournaments and I had to battle hard to earn my three top-ten finishes last season.
“Denmark will be a new challenge for me, as I’ve never played on the Tours in that beautiful part of Europe before, but it’s an exciting opportunity.”
Simon’s Golf Club is celebrating its 25thanniversary and hopes to see exciting action over the three days of competition, especially with a star-studded field – featuring no fewer than 11 former Ryder Cup players.
In addition to the three captains, the field will include former European Tour Number One Ronan Rafferty, 1993 Ryder Cup player Barry Lane, who carded the lowest round in Staysure Tour history last year – a 12 under par round of 60 – Phillip Price, who defeated then World Number Two Phil Mickelson in the Sunday singles at The 2002 Ryder Cup, and Costantino Rocca, who beat Tiger Woods in the Sunday singles at Valderrama in 1997.
The 60-person field will be confirmed on May 4, which will include the results of a Qualifying Tournament taking place from April 30 – May 1 at Simon’s Golf Club, offering five spots in the event.
