Roger Chapman returns to the MCB Tour Championship – Seychelles 12 months after winning the inaugural title at Constance Lemuria and is relishing the opportunity to reacquaint himself with the stunning Indian Ocean layout.
The two-time Senior Major Champion came from seven shots behind at the start of the final round to lift the trophy in 2018, beating Phillip Price on the first play-off hole after sinking a 30-foot eagle putt.
Chapman, who has four top tens to his name in 2019, including a share of tenth place at The Senior Open Presented by Rolex, is excited to be back on the Indian Ocean island.
“It’s always great to be a defending champion,” said Chapman. “It’s great being in Seychelles and I’m looking forward to defending my title.
“The win meant a lot last year. I was injured at the beginning of the season and had a shoulder operation in the middle of May and did nothing until The Senior Open at St Andrews.”
The Englishman will tee it up in the second staging of the event and the second of the three event final series MCB Tour Championship, where the top-performing player will be crowned King of the Swing after the Indian Ocean events.
Chapman was crowned both the inaugural King of the Swing and the MCB Tour Championship – Seychelles winner and will face a tough test, not just from the players battling for the title, but from the picturesque course which hosted the first European Tour-sanctioned event in Seychelles 12 months ago.
“The course is like an examination,” said the three-time Staysure Tour winner. “The paper is there in front of you and you’ve got to do your best. You have to plot your way around this course, like a game of chess, and make sure you hit the fairways.
“The first 12 holes are really, really good and then you get to the 13th tee and you go up, and then you get to the 14th tee and you go up again. You think you have to come down sooner or later and then you hit 15, which is probably one of the most beautiful holes in the world.
“The hang time on the shot into the green is close to ten seconds, which is incredible. Then the par five 16th goes back up the hill before you get to 17 which is a little par three. You then arrive at the 18th tee and see the fantastic view but the tee shot puts the fear of God into you. It’s not an easy tee shot, especially with the wind. Some guys hit driver, but a lot of guys will take an iron off the tee to make sure they hit the fairway – it’s fraught with danger.”
Chapman will tee off at 11:45am local time alongside MCB Tour Championship – Madagascar winner Barry Lane and victorious 2014 Ryder Cup Captain Paul McGinley. The first round at the MCB Tour Championship – Seychelles gets under way at 09:00am local time.
