The 1991 Masters champion Ian Woosnam hopes that a return to his homeland can jump-start his season as he headlines the field at the 2016 SSE Enterprise Wales Senior Open.
The 58 year old has come close to winning his national Open on both the European Tour and European Senior Tour on several occasions, but his only victory on home soil has, remains the Epson Grand Prix of Europe at St Pierre the year before his triumph at Augusta National.
Woosnam narrowly missed out on last year’s title, finishing joint runner-up behind Paul Wesselingh, as he recorded his fourth top three finish at the Wales Senior Open in six years.
“I maybe should have won here in Wales in the past,” he said. “Let’s go out there and see what happens. Sometimes when you’re not expecting to win you can go out and turn it around.
“I only need to hit a few good shots and maybe it will all come together – I’m surprised I’ve done as well as I have over the last few years.
“It’s great coming back here and having everybody recognise you as a golfer from Wales.”
Although Woosnam has had tournament practice this season, the 2006 Ryder Cup captain conceded that he hasn’t been at his best in 2016, but hopes to find a turn in fortune on the Roman Road Course at The Celtic Manor Resort.
“I’ve not been playing very well so far this year,” he said. “I’ve been struggling with my game, especially the putting side of things.
“I’m going to try the Bernhard Langer method – you can see how well he’s been putting, so why can’t I do it?
“There are a few inconsistencies in my game and I can’t seem to put a score together.
“My luck’s not going right, but this might be the week that changes it.”
Joining Woosnam in the field are defending champion Wesselingh and fellow 2015 runner-up Peter Fowler.
Fowler finished second in the Order of Merit last season, and hopes he can go one better in both this year’s rankings and the Wales Senior Open.
“It would be good to go that one step further,” Fowler said. “I’ve been trying to do my homework on the greens here. The wind is tricky, but the greens are even trickier.
“There’s so much slope on them you really need to learn as much as you can about them. They have got some massive, massive slopes on these greens. You definitely don’t want to be in the wrong place.
“That being said, I really enjoy it here. The hotel and facilities are good and the course is in great shape again.”
South African James Kingston will make his European Senior Tour debut , while Ireland’s Denis O’Sullivan is playing in his 300th event – the first Senior Tour player to reach the milestone.
The 2015 Senior Tour Rookie of the Year Paul Broadhurst will hope to build on his impressive performance in last weekend’s US Senior PGA Championship, finishing tied for 31st on four under par.
Former Wales Senior Open winners Phil Golding, Barry Lane, Bill Longmuir and Carl Mason are also set to tee-off this week.
