IRONMAN STEEN TINNING MAKES DEBUT ON SENIOR TOUR

NEWS RELEASE FROM EUROPEAN TOUR COMMUNICATIONS
After a nine-year break from competitive golf, Denmark’s Steen Tinning has been busy getting into shape by competing in triathlons and ironman competitions in preparation for his European Senior Tour debut at the MCB Tour Championship next week. 
Tinning, picture by courtesy of Getty Images(c),  was a regular and consistent performer during a career which spanned almost two decades on The European Tour, capping it with wins at the 2000 Wales Open and 2002 Open de Madrid. 
But having turned 50, the Copenhagen native - who survived a serious car crash in 1990 which left one arm partly detached from his body - believes he is in the best physical condition of his career after an unorthodox period of preparation for a return to the game. 
He explained: “In 2009 I decided I wanted to get back into shape and get competitive again ahead of the beginning of my Senior Tour career. 
“Since 2003 I have done a lot of coaching on the mental aspects of the game and also some commentary work and consultancy for various golf clubs and agencies, so it was a big decision for me to get back into competitive golf. 
“When I finished on The European Tour I had struggled with a really bad back and suffered a lot of pain, so I knew I had to work really hard on my general fitness.
 “Then a good friend of mine suggested I join him in preparing for triathlons. At first I thought he was crazy but then I began to work on my body and rehabilitate completely. So I have been competing in triathlons for the past three years and also in ironman competitions. “That competitiveness has really motivated me now for the Senior Tour, no doubt about it. It has made me very focussed about my practice and my routines and I’ve been working hard on my game now so I cannot want to play in Mauritius.” 
Tinning believes there are a lot of similarities between the gruelling fitness competitions and golf. “I did a lot of training by myself for the triathlons and you have to really work to your own schedule and be disciplined with yourself,” said Tinning.
“You have to want it really badly if you want to do well, and in those ways I think it is very similar to golf.” 
Now, the seven time World Cup player is ready to compete on the Senior Tour, starting at the luxurious Constance Belle Mare Plage in Mauritius from December 7-9. 
“My body is in much better shape now than it was when I finished playing in 2003 and I just do not get tired playing golf anymore,” he said. 
“I feel like I can play a round or two of golf now and still go and run a marathon afterwards! 
“I think that will really help on the Senior Tour and as well as playing there I also want to get back playing at the top level on The European Tour, so hopefully I can get a few appearances there too. 
“I would not have made the decision to play competitively again if I didn’t think I could win and I have played with a lot of the younger players recently in Denmark, so I think my game is in good shape. 
“I have heard Mauritius is a great tournament too and I am looking forward to seeing a lot of players I played with on The European Tour. It is going to be great to back into it.” 
American Tom Lehman defends his title in the MCB Tour Championship after finishing one stroke clear of South African David Frost 12 months ago.