Sam Torrance returns to The London Golf Club near Brands Hatch in pole position on the European Seniors Tour Order of Merit and intent on making a successful defence of the £150,000 Bendinat London Seniors Masters.
It was amid the immaculate surroundings of The London Golf Club last September that the Scotsman made a decisive move in the race to finish Number One in Europe, closing out a victory that moved him right on the tail of Order of Merit leader Carl Mason.
Neither man was to win again in 2005 but Torrance, driven by his success in Kent, finished the season stronger over the final three events and overtook Mason en route to his maiden John Jacobs Trophy.
Ten months on and it is the former Ryder Cup Captain setting the pace with two wins and a second place from his four outings on the 2006 European Seniors Tour.
Combine with this his undoubted liking for the Jack Nicklaus-designed Heritage Course – in last year’s first round he carded a course record of eight under par 64 – and there will be no stronger favourite than Torrance when Thursday’s first round gets underway.
Nevertheless, England’s David J Russell, second behind Torrance last year, is confident he can upset the bookies’ odds and at the same time throw off his tag as the ‘nearly man’ of the European Seniors Tour.
Russell relinquished a four shot overnight lead to register his eighth runner-up finish at the recent FIRSTPLUS Wales Seniors Open, but the 52 year old is adamant he can turn the lessons of Cardiff into a maiden seniors victory on the outskirts of London.
“I have made a bit of a habit finishing second, which in itself is not a bad habit to have. However, I feel like I am playing well enough to win and The London Golf Club is a golf course that really suits me,” said Russell.
José Rivero, the winner in Wales, is another man who is expected to feature prominently along with his Spanish compatriot Juan Quiros.
Rivero made his European Seniors Tour at The London Golf Club last year and finished in a share of third place. The performance served notice of his future intentions as the former Ryder Cup player has already won twice this year and is second to Torrance on the current Order of Merit standings.
Quiros, meanwhile, has made a huge impact in a short time. Since turning 50 in February the former European Tour winner has finished tied sixth at the Sharp Italian Seniors Open, tied 15th at the AIB Irish Seniors Open in association with Greenstar and Fáilte Ireland, and tied second at the FIRSTPLUS Wales Seniors Open, the latter result guaranteeing his place in the field for this year’s Bendinat London Seniors Masters.
