Carl Mason defends his De Vere Collection PGA Seniors Championship title this week fresh from setting another record on the European Senior Tour after becoming the first player to pass €2million mark in career earnings.
Mason’s € 2,823 cheque for finishing in a share of 40th position in last week’s Ryder Cup Wales Seniors Open took him beyond the milestone, just five tournaments into his eighth season on the Senior Tour.
During that time the prolific Englishman – who turns 57 on Saturday - has become no stranger to rewriting Senior Tour history books, including shooting the joint lowest Senior Tour round – a superb 61 (-9) in the 2008 Bad Ragaz PGA Seniors Open.
But it is his consistency that has seen him amass €2,001,034 - the most money of any player on the Senior Tour – and 22 tournament victories, just one shy of Tommy Horton’s record of 23 titles.
“It’s nice to have passed the €2million mark – it’s another record and target achieved,” he said. “I’ve had so many nice records over the past seven or eight years and to keep doing them is great.
“I’m ticking them off but there’s one good one to get still - Tommy’s 23 victories is the one I’m aiming at now and the one I want to get out the way. And then see if I can get past it!
“Winning the titles means a lot to me but passing the €2million mark is nice too as they go together really. The titles are the main thing but it’s a nice record to have to be the first person to do something.
“When I started on the Senior Tour I didn’t know what would happen – how my body would be. I’ve had plenty of problems as it is so to do what I have has been great. I’m delighted to get to the €2million mark and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it. I’m so chuffed with the way I’ve performed on the Senior
Tour.
Mason is €474,000 clear of Tommy Horton on the all time Senior Tour money list with Nick Job third on €1,372,423, former Ryder Cup Captain Sam Torrance fourth on €1,319,224 and Noel Ratcliffe completing the top five with €1,311,006. There are 12 players who have passed the €1million landmark, with Bob Cameron and Delroy Cambridge next in line to reach that particular milestone.
