England’s Peter Mitchell defends this week’s Casa Serena Open – the European Senior Tour’s richest event outside the Major Championships – hoping to continue his trend of ‘blooming’ in the autumn.
In 2008, his debut season on the Senior Tour, Mitchell won in Scotland and Italy towards the end of the campaign and he made a late charge again last year, winning the second edition of the lucrative Casa Serena Open to charge up the Order of Merit.
Mitchell’s victory at the beautiful Casa Serena Golf, in the Czech Republic, was one of the highlights of last season as the 52 year old surged through the field with a final round 66 to clinch the title.
Earlier in the week, Mitchell had considered withdrawing from the remainder of the 2009 season due to despondent results but he rallied magnificently to take the Casa Serena title in a venue for which he harbours a huge amount of affection.
“I just love the place,” said Mitchell of Casa Serena Golf. “It is just beautiful and would be somewhere you would enjoy just walking round even if you weren’t playing golf.”
The defending champion will be hoping his positive attitude towards the golf course and surrounding area can once again be channelled into a winning performance as he bids to get back into the race for the Order of Merit.
Currently 40th in the standings, Mitchell could propel himself well into the top ten – just as he did last year - should he pick up the impressive first prize of €90,000 on Sunday.
That winner’s cheque will ensure the Casa Serena Open has a significant effect throughout the Order of Merit.
At the top of the pile, Boonchu Ruangkit, Chris Williams and Angel Franco all have the chance to replace Bernhard Langer in the Number One Spot, while anyone in the next 20 places, including Carl Mason, Sam Torrance and Barry Lane could barge their way towards the front of the race to claim the John Jacobs Trophy.
Mason, who finished fifth in the 2009 Casa Serena Open, could create history if he triumphs, with the Englishman bidding for his 24th Senior Tour title to become the most prolific winner of all time.
He currently shares that honour with Tommy Horton and came close to breaking the record when he led going into the final round of the Travis Perkins plc Senior Masters a fortnight ago but had to settle for second place behind Irishman Des Smyth.
Those players at the lower end of the Order of Merit will also be looking to follow the Mitchell example of last season, knowing that a strong finish this week could well be the cheque they need to retain their playing privileges.
