After earning his card at Staysure Tour Qualifying School in February, England’s Paul Streeter can’t wait to finish the season in paradise at the Indian Ocean Swing.
The 52 year old, who celebrated his second victory on the European over-50s circuit a few days after his birthday, arrives at the MCB Tour Championship-Mauritius in pole position in the race for Rookie of the Year.
His victory at the Travis Perkins Masters set the platform for the rest of the season, and he secured his second title at last week’s Costa Blanca Benidorm Senior Masters, moving him more than €30,000 ahead of nearest rival David Shacklady, who also came through Q-School, in the rookie standings.
Now seventh on the Order of Merit, Streeter is hoping for a thrilling end to a memorable first season on Tour.
“My goal was to finish in the top 20, and a win would have been nice,” admitted Streeter. “So to have two wins before the Tour Championship is fantastic – and spending the next two weeks in paradise is amazing too.
“I very rarely set goals, but I set my targets at the start of the year and to have achieved them is fantastic.
“Shackers and I have known each other for years, so it’s great to have the chance to spend this time with him. We’ve practiced together at every tournament and have a few games out there. His win in Russia gave me the confidence to go out there and do it myself; he’s now tenth on the Order of Merit, so for both of us to be in the positions we are is great.”
At Woburn, Streeter amassed a seven stroke lead after the second round and then held off a charge from 2017 Staysure Tour Number One Clark Dennis to win the Travis Perkins Masters by two strokes.
Last week, he faced off against European Tour legend and reigning Senior Open Champion Miguel Angel Jiménez in a play-off at Meliá Villaitana – and he defeated the home favourite on the first extra hole.
“It’s tough to pick the highlight of the year,” said Streeter. “Beating Miguel was fantastic, but the first win was so memorable. To have such a big lead and play good golf in the last round was my highlight – because that was unknown territory for me.”
