Rick Gibson has identified in-form Australian Peter Fowler as the man most likely to deny him a successful title defence in this week’s Swiss Seniors Open, held at the spectacular Golf Club Bad Ragaz.
Gibson has been paired alongside home hero André Bossert and four-time European Senior Tour champion Barry Lane as he bids to become the first man since Carl Mason in 2008 to win back-to-back titles at the Swiss venue.
The Canadian cruised to victory by six shots from Ireland’s Denis O’Sullivan last year but, with Fowler having won the last two regular events on the Senior Tour Schedule, Gibson is expecting a stern test when he returns to the scene of his maiden triumph.
He said: “Peter Fowler is the hottest golfer on the Tour at the moment, and as a past champion at Bad Ragaz he’s most likely to be the player to beat this week. But if my patience and my putting are anywhere near as good as they were last year, then I believe I'll be in the mix again. It’d be great to lift that crystal trophy again, even if it is extremely heavy!”
The stunning vistas of the Swiss Alps make Golf Club Bad Ragaz one of the more visually arresting courses in Europe, and ensure that the €300,000 event remains one of the most popular amongst the Senior Tour’s membership.
Gibson was certainly taken with the town during his maiden visit three years ago, when the 53 year old also showed his liking for the tight, tree-lined course with a tied 11th finish.
He said: “I loved the place from the first moment I got here, so I’ve got some very fond memories of the course and the town in general. It’s probably the only event on the European Senior Tour where we don’t need a hire car. The ease of access to some lovely restaurants and the golf course is a big bonus, and it’s very gratifying how well we’re treated at the tournament every year.”
Whilst Gibson’s game is not quite where he would like it to be after four appearances on the Senior Tour this season, with a tie for ninth in Jersey his best performance to date, he is still relishing the prospect of being in the spotlight this week.
“I’ve been looking forward to returning to Bad Ragaz ever since winning last year,” he said.
“Winning a tournament brings a certain amount of responsibility, and I’m really hoping to be able to perform well enough to be in the frame once again.
“My form of late has been improving, and some of my results on the Senior Tour and the Champions Tour have been respectable. I’m still not completely happy with my swing but I’ve been working with my coach, so hopefully we’re now moving in the right direction again.”
