The third edition of the Casa Serena Open is set to play a pivotal role in the European Senior Tour Order of Merit, with three players able to take over the top spot with victory in the Czech Republic from September 17-19.
With a first prize of €90,000 on offer at Casa Serena Golf – the largest on the Senior Tour aside from the Senior Major Championships – Boonchu Ruangkit, Chris Williams and Angel Franco all have the chance to replace Bernhard Langer at the helm of the Order of Merit.
Ruangkit was the long time leader following his three consecutive victories at the start of the season, in Brunei, his homeland Thailand and South Africa, but he was succeeded by Langer when the German won The Senior Open Championship presented by MasterCard at Carnoustie in July.
With earnings of €216,693 so far this season, Ruangkit is €38,617 behind Langer and a strong performance in the Casa Serena Open would make the 54 year old a firm favourite to succeed Sam Torrance as the winner of the John Jacobs trophy given to the leading Senior Tour player.
South African Williams and Paraguayan Franco, who are currently third and fifth in the Order of Merit respectively, are both chasing their maiden Senior Tour titles after a number of near misses.
The pair both finished tied second in the Ryder Cup Wales Seniors Open and The De Vere Collection PGA Seniors Championship in June and if either could break their duck in the Casa Serena Open they could also assume the mantle of Number One.
Among those looking to capture the title ahead of them are defending champion Peter Mitchell, of England, and former Ryder Cup Captain, Sam Torrance.
Last year Mitchell’s three stroke victory moved him into the top ten and contributed to his eventual sixth place finish in the end of season standings, while Glenn Ralph’s tied second also contributed heavily towards his earnings for the year.
Carl Mason, who finished fifth in the 2009 Casa Serena Open, could create history if he wins, with the Englishman bidding for his 24th Senior Tour title to become the most prolific winner of all time.
He currently shares that honour with Tommy Horton and came close to breaking the record when he led going into the final round of the Travis Perkins plc Senior Masters last week but had to settle for second place behind Irishman Des Smyth.
Making their debuts in the tournament are Senior Tour rookies Barry Lane, winner of the Cleveland Golf/Srixon Scottish Senior Open last month, and Andrew Oldcorn, the 2001 PGA Championship winner at Wentworth Club.
Gary Wolstenholme, the former two-time British Amateur Champion who famously beat Tiger Woods in the Walker Cup, will also play in the event after finishing third on his Senior Tour debut at Woburn last week.
