Ahead of the Scottish Senior Open getting under way, we take a closer look at the Scottish Staysure Tour stars in action at Craigielaw Golf Club this week.
Sandy Lyle
One of the most decorated European golfers with 18 European Tour titles plus one victory on the Staysure Tour, Lyle will be closely watched, not only by spectators, but by the field as he makes his first appearance at the event.
A two-time Major Champion, who was the first British winner of the Masters Tournament in 1988, he has been an inspiration for many Scottish golfers who have looked to follow in his footsteps. His Staysure Tour victory came in 2011 and he will be hoping to use his experience to challenge for the Scottish Senior Open this week.
Paul Lawrie
The Aberdeen-native will make his Scottish Senior Open debut this week, having turned 50 at the beginning of the year. Lawrie, who won The Open in 1999 on home soil at Carnoustie Golf Links, has had a mixed first season on the Staysure Tour, but will hope to impress when he takes to the East Lothian layout.
Three of the Scot’s eight European Tour wins have come on home soil, including the 2001 Dunhill Links Championship, played across three world-class links courses; the Old Course at St Andrews, Carnoustie, and Kingsbarns. If he is to succeed at Craigielaw, expect him to call upon his vast links knowledge.
Gary Orr
Last year’s champion has an impressive record at the Scottish Senior Open. Rounds of 68-65-76 saw him win his first title in 18 years last year, but a victory was on the cards following a share of third place at the Renaissance Club 12 months earlier.
Orr battled through the turbulent conditions during the final round to lift the trophy at Craigielaw and went on to win his next Staysure Tour event at the Paris Legends Championship. He made a strong start to the 2019 campaign with back-to-back T13 results and will hope his form on Scottish links continues when he tees it up this year.
Bill Longmuir
The 2004 champion was first Scot to win the event since David Huish managed the feat in 1998. Longmuir’s one-stroke victory over compatriot John Chillas was his second win of his second Staysure Tour season, having finished second on the Order of Merit during his rookie campaign.
An eight-time winner on the over-50s circuit, Longmuir is no stranger to the winner’s circle and will be looking to become the fourth player to win the Scottish Senior Open twice, alongside Paul Broadhurst, Barry Lane and Tommy Horton.
Andrew Oldcorn
A two-time Staysure Tour winner, Oldcorn is playing in his tenth season on the over-50s circuit and the 2001 PGA Champion will be hoping for another top ten finish on home soil this week.
Oldcorn’s last Staysure Tour victory came at the WINSTONgolf Senior Open in 2016 but after a tied tenth finish at Craigielaw 12 months ago – his best result at the event – he will be aiming to go even better when he tees it up in East Lothian.
Ross Drummond
He finished runner-up in his debut appearance at the Scottish Senior Open in 2007 on nine under par – a score which would have won six of the following 11 editions.
Drummond has five top 20 finishes at the event and will hope to make it six when he tees it up this week.
Stephen McAllister
The two-time European Tour winner will make his first appearance of the season on the over-50s circuit at Craigielaw. McAllister will tee it up in his eighth Scottish Senior Open, looking to better his best result of tied 11th in 2015 at Archerfield.
