BARRY LANE TARGETS TARTAN TREBLE AT TURNBERRY

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE EUROPEAN TOURBarry Lane has set his sights on completing a unique Scottish treble when he attempts to win The Senior Open Championship presented by Rolex at Turnberry from July 26-29.
The Englishman won his maiden European Tour title at the Scottish Open at Gleneagles in 1988 and also claimed his first European Senior Tour victory at the Scottish Senior Open at Fairmont St Andrews in 2010, a title he successfully defended last season.
Now the former Ryder Cup player, pictured left by courtesy of Getty Images(c), is hoping history repeats itself as he targets winning a maiden Major Championship on Scottish soil when The Senior Open Championship presented by Rolex returns to the Ailsa Course for a record seventh time.
“It would be great to get a Scottish hat-trick,” said the 51 year old. “I obviously won the Scottish Open on The European Tour and then the Scottish Senior Open at Fairmont the past two years and I like the linksy, windy courses so I’m really looking forward to The Senior Open.
“I played The Open at Turnberry in 1994 along with Vijay Singh and John Daly, and it is a really tough, difficult golf course but very fair.
He added: “I think Turnberry is Tom Watson’s favourite course. He has played unbelievably there over the years and obviously lost in the play-off there a couple of years ago. It is a wonderful venue. For us as Seniors to play Turnberry is fantastic. We play some great courses anyway but to play a course that is on the Open rota is fantastic.”
Lane, who finished runner-up to Peter Fowler on the 2011 European Senior Tour Order of Merit, was the leading European in The 2011 Senior Open Championship at Walton Heath Golf Club, in fifth position.
The five-time European Tour winner and three-time Senior Tour champion has taken confidence from that performance, and he is looking forward to another chance to take on some of the game’s most iconic names.
“I was very happy with my performance at Walton Heath last year,” said Lane. “I played really well all week and didn’t quite hole the putts when I need to. The Senior Open is our Open and to play in an Open is always special. It’s fantastic with all the Americans coming over and it will be a great atmosphere (at Turnberry), with a lot of people watching.
“It was great battling against some of these players in our youth and being able to do it again. We have Tom Lehman and Tom Watson, Mark Calcavecchia and all the great players coming over to support it and they have a great time. They really appreciate how they are looked after and enjoy playing on a great golf course. Both Turnberry and The Senior Open Championship are held in high esteem in America.”
Discounted advance tickets to watch some of the game’s iconic names in action at Turnberry, in The Senior Open Championship presented by Rolex, can now be purchased online. Season passes are now available at £60 and any one day tickets at £18. They can be booked online at www.europeantourtickets.com, where other discounts and offers can also be found.
Hospitality packages are also now available at £95 per person inc VAT, which includes admittance to the course along with a three-course lunch and glass of champagne in Turnberry’s signature restaurant, 1906, reserved parking, a Championship programme and a draw sheet.
American Russ Cochran won The 2011 Senior Open Championship at Walton Heath, England, holding off the challenge of former Open Champion Mark Calcavecchia, three-time Senior Open Champion Watson and 2010 United States Ryder Cup Captain Corey Pavin.