Des Smyth believes he is in better form now than he was last year when he claimed the Travis Perkins plc Senior Masters trophy as he returns to defend his title over Woburn Golf Club’s Duke’s Course this week.
The Irishman shot a final round 69 last year which included a stunning three under par back nine to overcome Carl Mason, who was three shots clear after nine holes before a disastrous finish including a four putt and double bogey at the par five 14th meant Smyth could steal home for victory.
“I have great memories of last year’s win,” reflected Smyth, who has won tournaments in five consecutive decades having sealed his first European Tour title at the 1979 Sun Alliance Match Play Championship.
“I just happened to play really well out of the blue, I wasn’t really in good form and Carl Mason was playing all the golf really, so I felt bad for him.
“I made a late charge and it was just great to come out as the winner.”
It was Smyth’s third Senior Tour win, but it was also his first in three years and he feels his game is in better shape in the lead up to his title defence at Woburn as he aims to gain more consistency in the final third of the 2011 season.
The 58 year old finished tied third at the Cleveland Golf/Srixon Scottish Senior Open two weeks ago and has already got a win under his belt this year, emerging victorious from the Van Lanschot Senior Open in The Netherlands in June.
“I was a bit unhappy with missing the cut at The Senior Open by one shot but I was delighted with my game at the Scottish Senior Open and I feel I’m running into better form entering the Travis Perkins Senior Masters this year,” he said.
“My driving wasn’t right at The Senior Open but I’ve been working on that and the winner this week will be the person whose game comes together just at the right time, so I just hope that will be me.”
Smyth’s Travis Perkins plc Senior Masters win helped him to a ninth place finish in the 2010 Senior Tour Order of Merit and, while he lies 13th on this year’s rankings list, he is hoping to improve on last year’s placing with some high finishes in the latter part of the season.
“Like I said, my form is really good at the moment and I’m really happy with how I’m playing,” he enthused. “I feel I’ve played better this year than I did last year so I think I’m capable of a higher finish this time around so hopefully I can perform in the coming weeks, starting with this week at Woburn.”
