As the 23rd consecutive Swiss Seniors Open is set to get under way, we have taken a look at three men who could lift the trophy on Sunday.
Form horse
Barry Lane
After progressing through the 2018 season without a win, Barry Lane wasted no time in in returning to winning ways as 2019 began. The Englishman finished tied 30th at the innovative Jordan Mixed Open presented by Ayla in April, before winning the Senior Italian Open at the start of June. He overcame his self-proclaimed “terrible play-off record” by birdieing the second extra hole at Villaverde Resort against Marc Farry. The 59-year-old had carded rounds of 69-72-67 to reach the play-off against the Frenchman, and prevailed to win his seventh Staysure Tour title.
He then continued his excellent form at the Farmfoods European Legends Links Championship hosted by Ian Woosnam as he finished one shot shy of winner Jean-François Remesy as the Frenchman collected his second Staysure Tour title after a long battle with Lane and Swede Jarmo Sandelin.
Do not bet against Lane being in the mix again this week.
Home favourite
André Bossert
After a tough year with injury in 2018, André Bossert earned his playing privileges for 2019 via Staysure Tour Qualifying School at Pestana Golf Resort, Portugal, in January. He led Final Stage at the end of Day Two, but dramatically earned his card with back-to-back birdies on his final two holes after a one over par first 16 holes had left his hopes hanging by a thread.
The Swiss, who is an ambassador for Golf Club Bad Ragaz, has posted two strong finishes in the last few weeks. He firstly finished tied 13th at the Senior Italian Open before following that up a week later with a tied 24th finish at the Senior Open Hauts de France by Jean van de Velde.
Golf Club Bad Ragaz is a course the 2016 Travis Perkins Masters winner knows well and will stop at nothing to secure an emotional victory on home soil.
Defending Champion
Jean-François Remesy
Jean-François Remesy could quite easily fall into the form horse category, but after securing a first Staysure Tour victory at Golf Club Bad Ragaz last year, he enters this week as defending champion.
The Frenchman secured victory last year following a rollercoaster final round which he began as co-leader, but two bogeys in the first five holes saw him tumble down the leaderboard. He returned to the summit and ultimately lifted the trophy with a two under par back nine, which included a memorable celebration on the 18th green.
Two runner-up finishes and three further top tens followed in 2018 as he finished tenth on the Order of Merit, before then returning to the winner’s circle in just his fourth appearance of 2019.
He finished tied third at the Senior Italian Open before securing his second triumph on the over-50s scene at the Farmfoods European Legends Links Championship hosted by Ian Woosnam. Rounds of 68-71-67 were enough to earn victory on the Padstow links, finishing one shot clear of England’s Barry Lane.
Victory in England means the Frenchman is in pole position for a title defence this week.
