Welsh pair Mark Mouland and Ian Woosnam boosted their confidence ahead of next week’s Speedy Services Wales Senior Open with strong closing rounds in the SSE Scottish Senior Open at Fairmont St Andrews.
Both players carded five under par final rounds of 67, with former World Number One and Masters Champion Woosnam tying for fourth position on nine under par 207 and Mouland three shots further back in a share of 14th.
Anders Forsbrand claimed the title by one stroke from Philip Golding on 17 under par 199, but Woosnam and Golding will be hoping to carry forward their own form on to home soil.
Woosnam returns to Conwy (Caernarvonshire) Golf Club for the start of the Speedy Services Wales Senior Open Friday on having finished runner-up to Peter Mitchell the last time the event was played at the venue.
The former Ryder Cup Captain is returning to form having finished third in the Bad Ragaz PGA Seniors Open last month, followed by two top ten finishes in a row in Scotland, first a share of tenth place in last month’s Senior Open Championship Presented by Rolex at Turnberry followed by tied fourth at Fairmont St Andrews.
“I played nicely again,” said Woosnam. “ I played well all week and hardly hit a bad shot. Around here it’s just about whoever holes he most putts will win and I didn’t hole enough putts all week.
“I’ve been working hard on my game – DJ Russell has been giving me a few tips and I’m hitting the ball really well again and I’ve got my power back.
“I’ve been to see a different physio and I’m looking forward to what is coming up. I’ve got a bit of problem with my hips and my back has to settle down, but it is getting better all the time. My swing is getting better which is the main thing. I wasn’t able to get my hips through so I can make the proper turn. All of a sudden I am hitting the ball 30 yards further.
“Next week in Wales is a big week. I played well at Conwy four years ago – I was a bit fresher then - but I’m looking forward to it.”
Meanwhile Mouland, who captured his maiden Senior Tour title last year in Portugal, is also keen to perform for the home spectators.
“I’ve not played Conwy for many years, probably more than 30 years,” he said. “I used to play there a lot as a junior so I’m really looking forward to going back.
“It’s a fantastic track. My dad actually won the Welsh Pros there one year by a bunch of shots, so it would be nice to do well for him.
“It was nice to finish well in Scotland. I used the belly putter for the first couple of rounds because everyone seems to be giving it a go, but it didn’t seem to work for me. So I went back to my old one for the final round and it worked for me.
“Hopefully we can get some big crowds and it would be nice to maybe play with Woosie at some point. That would attract people as we played together in so many World Cups and Dunhill Cups, so hopefully we can get some good support.”
