European Senior Tour stalwart Mark Mouland believes it’s just a matter of time before a senior player wins a Major Championship.
Speaking ahead of the first Senior Major of the season, the Welshman says it won’t be long before one of his sparring partners goes one better than Tom Watson’s memorable second-place finish at the 2009 Open Championship, when the American was beaten to the Claret Jug by compatriot Stewart Cink in a play-off.
“With modern equipment, we are hitting the ball just as far as we did when we were younger,” the 55 year old said. “The public want to see the Senior Tour players shoot good scores and we are still doing that.
“It won’t be long before a senior player wins a major. Tom Watson came close at The Open and we saw Bernhard Langer do well at the Masters this year.
“The kids hit the ball so far these days, so I think a Senior victory would come at either The Open or the Masters. Augusta National and The Open courses suit our games better.
“Every year competition gets tougher and we have got John Daly and José María Olazábal who have turned 50 this year – every year you get an influx of new players and it makes it tougher for those who have been on the Tour for a while.
“It gets harder to play, but most of us go to the gym to keep fit. I’ve been playing professional golf since I was 19 years old, so I know it’s all about holding your nerve and hitting your shots when they count.”
The Welshman’s maiden Senior Tour victory came in his debut season in 2011 and, after coming close to further success in 2015 with two third-place finishes, he is looking to add to his trophy cabinet in 2016.
“I want to win again,” he asserted. “I spent a lot of time in the United States over the last few years, so I missed some events, but this year will be a completely full season.
“It’ll be good to get out there and playing again. You have to have good weeks every week on the Senior Tour, you can’t afford to play badly.
“Everyone can still play really great golf and we’ve grown up together as a group, so it’s people who we’ve been playing against for the last 30 years or so. Some may be playing better in their 50s than they did in their 30s.
“We’re like a big happy family, to be honest. There’s no animosity at all, but we all stick in and try to win.”
Mouland’s first event of the 2016 campaign will be the US Senior PGA Championship presented by KitchenAid at Harbor Shores, Michigan, and he will then return to the UK the following week for the SSE Enterprise Wales Senior Open.
He will be joined by fellow countryman, and 1991 Masters Champion, Ian Woosnam in the field, as well as Paul Mayo and Royal Porthcawl head professional Peter Evans.
He said: “Celtic Manor is about half an hour from my house, so I’ve spent a lot of time there over the years. The Welsh public really get behind the event so it’ll be great to go back there for this year’s tournament.
“It’s great having someone like Woosie take part in this tournament because it may inspire some of the spectators. There aren’t as many Welsh guys on the main tour as from some countries. But that will change in time, I’m sure.
“There are so many good players out there, and it’s only a matter of time until we see another Woosnam come along.
“For now, I enjoy flying the flag for Wales. I’ll soon by joined by Stephen Dodd and Phillip Price who turn 50 later this year, and they will be welcome additions to the Tour.”
