Gordon Brand Jnr and Carl Mason, the two players who contested a play-off for last year’s inaugural Benahavis Senior Masters, will return to compete for the title again this week, with each having an eye on wider personal targets.
It was Mason who sank a 25 foot putt to take the title at the second extra hole 12 months ago to capture his 22 European Senior Tour title and after winning in Switzerland earlier this season, he defends his title with the chance of becoming the all-time leading Senior Tour winner.
Mason’s 23rd title in the Bad Ragaz PGA Seniors Open in July saw him equal Tommy Horton as the most prolific Senior Tour winner and he could become the sole holder of that honour with a successful defence at La Quinta Golf and Country Club, in Benahavis, Spain.
Meanwhile, the man he defeated last year, Brand Jnr, will be looking to go one better to strengthen his Order of Merit aspirations following a superb run of form.
The former Ryder Cup player, who won the Matrix Jersey Classic in June which was also run by this week’s promoter Sportcel, finished runner up in the Casa Serena Open and again in last week’s Cannes Mougin Masters to move to third in the Order of Merit.
With just three events remaining, including the second edition of the Benahavis Senior Masters, the Scot has a realistic chance of catching Order of Merit leader Boonchu Ruangkit and he is hoping to capitalise on his own fine form.
“I’ve obviously played well at La Quinta before so it is another big week for me,” he said. “Obviously it would be great to do well and challenge for the Order of Merit but I’m just trying to think about playing good golf, otherwise you go stir crazy.”
History-chasing Mason, who has won three Order of Merit crowns, also heads to Marbella following an impressive showing in France, where he finished sixth.
“It was a pleasing result last week and I played OK so hopefully I can look forward to defending the Benahavis title,” said the Englishman. “I enjoyed the place last year and thought the course was really good.
“It was a tough battle with Gordon last year and we are both in good form so perhaps we can have another one. You get a good feeling for a place and I have that with La Quinta.”
Also in the field this week is Frenchman Marc Farry, who captured his second title of the season on Monday in the Cannes Mougins Masters, an event he co-organised.
Gary Wolstenholme, the former Walker Cup player, will also be hoping to continue his strong start to life on the Senior Tour following his victory in the Czech Republic last month.
Former Spanish Ryder Cup player Manuel Piñero, who designed the course at La Quinta, will also head the home contingent along with his younger brother Alfonso.
