The Sinclair Invitational begins at Hanbury Manor Marriott Hotel and Country Club this week and we have picked out three men who could lift the trophy on Sunday…
Paul Lawrie
One of two Major Champions in the field – along with Ian Woosnam – The 1999 Open Champion is now fully into his maiden Staysure Tour season and he has wasted no time in entering the winner’s circle. The 50-year-old secured an emotional home victory at the Scottish Senior Open earlier this month, winning his first Staysure Tour title by battling the tough conditions to reach two under par and earn a two-stroke victory over Peter Baker and Peter Fowler. Prior to that, Lawrie finished tied 16th at The Senior Open Presented by Rolex and earlier this year finished tied 13th at the Senior Open Hauts de France by Jean van de Velde. After tasting victory for the first time since 2012, Lawrie will be one to watch this week as he looks to make his winning week a winning run.
Clark Dennis
Clark Dennis is a regular feature as one of the three players to watch, and for good reason. The Texan has won five times on the over-50s circuit since making his debut in 2017, including the WINSTONgolf Senior Open in July, making it three consecutive winning years for the 2017 Qualifying School graduate who won the Order of Merit and Rookie of the Year honours later that year. In addition to his quintet of victories, Dennis has a further 12 top ten finishes meaning he has secured a place in the top ten in just under half of his 35 Staysure Tour starts. Beyond his superb playing record, Dennis’s attachment is Hanbury Manor Marriott Hotel and Country Club – this week’s venue – meaning that although he will tee it up almost 5,000 miles from his home in Fort Worth, The Sinclair Invitational is as close to a ‘home’ event as Dennis will come.
Paul Streeter
England’s Paul Streeter is a man who has become a fierce competitor on the Staysure Tour since he earned his playing privileges at the 2018 Qualifying School and became a two-time winner in his maiden season. His first victory arrived a year ago this week, at the Travis Perkins Masters, when he secured a two-stroke win over Clark Dennis. He essentially wrapped up the trophy on the second day at Woburn Golf Club with a stunning seven under par 65, which 25-time Staysure Tour winner Carl Mason – Streeter’s playing partner – dubbed the ‘finest golf he’s ever seen’. The Englishman then finished 11th and fifth, at the Farmfoods European Senior Masters and the Paris Legends Championship respectively, in his next two starts, before earning his second victory of the year at the Costa Blanca Benidorm Senior Golf Masters, beating Miguel Ángel Jiménez on the first play-off hole. This season, although yet to secure a triumph, Streeter has attained three top ten finishes and will undoubtedly be one to watch this week.
