OLDCORN FANCIES HIS CHANCE IN NETHERLANDS SENIOR OPEN THIS WEEK

FROM THE EUROPEAN TOUR COMMUNICATIONS STAFF

Andrew Oldcorn believes he is coming into form just at the right time as he returns to The Netherlands for this week’s the Van Lanschot Senior Open.
The 52 year old Scot has an impressive track record at Royal Haagsche Golf & Country Club, finishing runner-up to Englishman George Ryall in the inaugural tournament in 2010 and tied tenth last year, and he is hoping he can make it third time lucky in The Hague. 
Oldcorn came up just short in his bid to defend the ISPS Handa PGA Seniors Championship a fortnight ago, finishing joint runner up to Paul Wesselingh at De Vere Slaley Hall. Having now recovered from an eye problem that blighted the second half of his 2011 campaign, he is targeting a successful summer ahead.
“Slaley Hall was a step forward,” said Oldcorn, who had an operation to remove a cataract last autumn. “It was nice to be in the position of playing under pressure again and that bodes well for the next few weeks.

“I like the course at Royal Haagsche and I’m looking forward to playing it again. I’ve played well in both of my previous appearances so I feel as though I can play well here.
“Last year after playing so well at Slaley Hall I suffered the eye injury and couldn’t really kick on so hopefully it might be the reverse this year.
“I started my first two seasons on the Senior Tour well, whereas this year has been more of a steady build up. I’ve got a nice block of three events coming now so hopefully it will be the start of a big summer for me. There was a lot of good in my last performance, but still a lot of work to be done. Changing my putter made a big difference for me though. I was a lot more confident on the greens.”
Oldcorn’s compatriot Peter Smith also heads to Holland hoping to build on a morale-boosting display in the ISPS Handa PGA Seniors Championship, where he finished tied fifth to record his best Senior Tour performance.
Smith is hoping he can count on some local support in The Netherlands having previously worked as the head professional at Hilversumsche Golf Club, host venue for September’s KLM Open on The European Tour.
“I know the area and the course well and I might even have a few old members come along to cheer me on,” said Smith.
“I lived an hour away so I’ve played Royal Haagsche a few times. I’m comfortable in Holland, I know the people.”

Defending his title at the Van Lanschot Senior Open is Irishman Des Smyth, who carded a superb closing 65 last year to win by two strokes from Australian Peter Fowler, who went on to win the 2011 European Senior Tour Order of Merit.

Wesselingh is also in the field fresh from his maiden Senior Tour triumph, along with fellow Englishman Gary Wolstenholme, who has already won twice so far this season.

They are joined by former Ryder Cup Captains Sam Torrance and Ian Woosnam, and the top two on last year’s Order of Merit, Fowler and Barry Lane.