Miguel Angel Martin believes that The International in Amsterdam, which hosts the Dutch Senior Open for the first time this week, will be no push-over for the European Senior Tour’s stars as the Spaniard looks to master it and claim a maiden title of his own.
Martin currently lies fifth in the Senior Tour Order of Merit after an impressive second season in which he has claimed seven top ten finishes in 11 appearances, including a tied runner-up finish at the prestigious Travis Perkins plc Senior Masters at the beginning of September.
The three-time European Tour winner is beginning to believe he has what it takes to win on the Senior Tour and is hoping that he can capitalise on his recent form and claim a maiden title over the difficult lay-out in The Netherlands this week.
“I'm really enjoying it this season,” said the 51 year old. “Last year I didn’t play good but this year I'm just playing my game, the way that I used to play when I was young, so I'm happy to return to that.
“I've changed my clubs and the shafts a lot in recent years but I think I have got the right ones now. I have a lot of confidence now so I can hit my irons how I want to.
“There has not been one thing that has given me such a good year this year. I'm just playing the best that I can, there is no key. I have just been working and working and working.
“I have played two rounds here at The International and some of the holes are quite similar but I am looking forward to playing out there.
“The course is tough this week and the weather does not look like it will be good either so it will be difficult. The greens are tricky so a lot will depend on where the flags are placed.
“If you miss the green you will struggle to get up and down. A chip and a putt will be very difficult around here because the greens are undulating and they are elevated with different tiers too.
“The greens are all sloping down too so if you miss the green you will be underneath it. It’s very important to get up on the green with your approach and it’s also important to be in a good position because if you are on the wrong tier it will be a very difficult two-putt.”
Martin is currently €57,027 behind Order of Merit leader Steen Tinning with two events remaining before the lucrative season-ending MCB Tour Championship, so he needs something big this week if he is to be in with a chance of climbing to the summit.
“I'm fifth on the Order of Merit so I have to be happy with that,” he said. “There are only two more tournaments left so I don’t have many opportunities to try and catch up with Steen.
“He has been playing so good though. I have played with him a few times this year and he is hitting the ball really well, while his putting and his chipping have also been fantastic. He is a brilliant player.
“I think I might have to win this week and maybe in Mauritius too, but you never know what can happen. I can only try.”
Alongside Martin, all four of the remaining top five in the Order of Merit are in the field this week as the race for the John Jacobs Trophy builds towards an exciting climax.
Dane Tinning arrives fresh from his second victory of the season at last week’s English Senior Open while Englishman Paul Wesselingh, Australia’s Peter Fowler and Andrew Oldcorn of Scotland are all in chase and hoping for a big result at the Amsterdam venue.
