Since joining the European Senior Tour in 2012, Philip Golding has claimed two victories, six runner up finishes and 21 further top tens, but with every new season comes a renewed desire to win trophies and Golding is hoping to add to his trophy cabinet in 2016.
After recording four top ten finishes without a victory in 2015, the Englishman says he has to put himself under pressure to add to his two Senior Tour wins and his stunning European Tour win in the 2003 Open de France.
He finished tied 22nd last week at Celtic Manor Resort in the SSE Enterprise Wales Senior Open, and Golding admitted he cannot get too ahead of himself in this week’s Acorn Jersey Open.
“I need to win and put myself under some pressure,” he said. “You can’t say you’re going to come to a tournament and win, there are a lot of good players out there this week. Last week in Wales, I ruled myself out after the second day.
“I need to make sure I’m not silly on the first day, make a few putts here and there and not rule myself out. You’ve got to play to win out here, and everyone else is doing the same. I started nicely at Celtic Manor but had a poor second round. I hope to be in the mix come Saturday.”
Making his second appearance at La Moye Golf Club on the Senior Tour, Golding is relishing the prospect of once again playing on the stunning links course which overlooks the English Channel.
He said: “It’s a great course to come back to. I love it here and I loved it last year. We had a beautiful day yesterday. It’s not a long course but it’s protected by the wind a little.
“I walked the course earlier in the week and did some chipping and putting. I reminded myself about last year, where to go and where not to go.
There are some tricky places around the greens where you can’t miss it, and a lot of long grass you don’t want to go into.
“You have to be really careful with your club selection to ensure that you stay away from it. Hopefully the weather will hold for the next three days.
“It’s a great links course. Anybody who wants to play in Jersey should come here and play it. A big thank you goes to Acorn Insurance and the Attwoods for their support. Hopefully this tournament will become stronger and become as strong as the Jersey event was on the European Tour.
“There’s a great atmosphere here, and hopefully we’ll have a lot of spectators on Saturday for the final round.”
