Thomas Levet will return to the scene of his 2009 Open de España victory when the European Tour Destinations Senior Classic gets under way on the Staysure Tour at PGA Catalunya Resort from July 12-14.
The Frenchman captured the fifth of his six European Tour titles at the acclaimed Spanish venue, holding off Paraguay’s Fabrizio Zanotti to secure a two-shot victory, and with it became the most decorated French golfer of all time on the European Tour.
A member of the winning 2004 Ryder Cup team, Levet is making only his fourth start on the Staysure Tour since celebrating his 50th birthday last September and will be looking to rekindle his love affair with PGA Catalunya Resort as he goes in search of his first win on the over-50s circuit.
“It’s always a pleasure to come back to a venue where you have won,” he said. “As soon as you step back onto the golf course it is as if you can feel your rhythm again and your game is back to the way it was when you won.
“It’s a strange feeling and hopefully it can last when I’m out competing on the course this week.
“My win in 2009 was probably my best week on tour. I played unbelievably all week long from tee to green. The course has changed and improved a lot since then and the resort itself is unbelievable now so I’m excited to see what the week brings.”
Levet will need to outplay a formidable field if he is to emulate his triumph from a decade ago. Former World Number One Ian Woosnam and Paul McGinley, who returns to action this week after a successful week as host of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open, are just two of a plethora of former Ryder Cup stars set to contest the title.
Meanwhile, defending champion Magnus P Atlevi will be bidding to recapture the crown that he won at Lighthouse Golf & Spa Resort, Bulgaria, 12 months ago, with Santiago Luna, who won the inaugural contest at Linna Golf & Country Club, in Finland, in 2017, also set to tee up his title challenge.
Argentina’s José Coceres, who sits atop the Staysure Tour Order of Merit, will start the tournament among the favourites after capturing his first Staysure Tour title at the Swiss Seniors Open last week.
Levet gets his first round under way at 10:10am, with past champions Atlevi and Luna paired in the first group of the day to play off the first tee at 9:00am.
