The 2015 European Senior Tour season resumes this week with the sixth edition of the French Riviera Masters, with Englishman Philip Golding hoping to become the first player to successfully defend the title.
Golding earned himself a place in the record books 12 months ago when he claimed a four stroke victory at Terre Blanche Hotel Spa Golf Resort, a member of The European Tour Properties network of world-class venues.
The 53 year old became the first player to win titles on the Challenge, European and Senior Tours in the same country, having previously claimed the Open des Volcans in 1999 on the former, and the 2003 Open de France.
With three top five finishes to his name already this season, Golding is currently seventh on the Order of Merit and will be aiming to break into the top six before the end of the season to ensure qualification for next year’s US Senior Open.
Golding succeeded Peter Fowler as champion but the Australian will be keen to reclaim the crown, having finished tied third last year alongside Barry Lane and John Gould. Fowler has been in impressive form in 2015, winning twice and recording three further top ten finishes to lie third on the Order of Merit, passing the €1million mark in Senior Tour career earnings along the way.
Former winners David J Russell, Juan Quiros and Marc Farry, the man who helped launch the event before winning the inaugural edition in 2010, are also in the field, along with two notable former Ryder Cup players just embarking on their Senior Tour careers.
Paul Broadhurst plays in the event for the first time having triumphed on his Senior Tour debut in the Prostate Cancer UK Scottish Senior Open in August, while fellow Englishman David Gilford will hoping to match that feat when he makes his Senior Tour debut in the south of France this week.
Hopes of a first home victory since Farry’s five years ago will be led by Jean François Remesy, a two-time winner of the Open de France, along with Roger Sabarros, François Lamare and Jean Pierre Sallat.
