Two-time Senior Major Champion Roger Chapman hopes that a positive result at this week’s Willow Senior Golf Classic will kick-start a two-week run on home turf.
Chapman, a regular on the US Champions Tour circuit, has returned to England to take part in the Willow Senior Golf Classic at Hanbury Manor Marriott Hotel & Country Club, home of the English Open from 1997-1999, before taking in next week’s Travis Perkins Masters at Woburn Golf Club.
“It’s nice to be back in England,” said Chapman. “I did play at Carnoustie in the Senior Open Championship, but it’s great being back here in England playing two events in a row.
“I’m looking forward to the next two weeks, and I’m looking forward to playing well. I’ve been having some lessons with Pete Cowen. I played the US Open, but that was my first tournament using a slightly new method and new swing. I’ve been working hard on my game.
“I’m probably looking ahead to next season with my new technique, the changes will only happen when you’re out there playing. When you’re out there and under the gun, it’s a whole new ball game.”
Winner of the US Senior PGA Championship and US Senior Open in 2012, Chapman finished tied fifth at the 1997 English Open played at Hanbury Manor, and is hoping to rekindle his form in familiar surroundings.
“I went to the locker room and was reminded of the results from a few years ago when we had the English Open,” he said. “I finished fifth one year, I like the course and hopefully that hasn’t worn off.
“It will mean a lot to me to play well over these next few weeks. I’m looking forward to knuckling down, getting some solid work done and playing well.
“I’ve had a couple of top tens this year, I had a second and a ninth over in America, but then I had tennis elbow in my left elbow and needed to take a month off. It’s been stop-start, but I’m hoping for a good finish to the year.”
Joining Chapman in the field are 1989 European Number One Ronan Rafferty and 1991 Masters Champion Ian Woosnam, as well as the most recent winner on the Senior Tour, Paul Eales, who became the seventh golfer to win on the Challenge Tour, European Tour and Senior Tour after his victory in last week’s Prostate Cancer UK Scottish Senior Open.
