Fraser Mann starts defence of Senior PGA title

Carnoustie’s Fraser Mann's  defence of the  Silversea Senior PGA Professional Championship should have teed off at Foxhills, Surrey today.
The popular 56 year old won the Bernard Hunt Trophy, named after the former PGA Captain and Ryder Cup player, at a canter last time out, taking a six-shot victory after three days of action at the prestigious Surrey venue.
And he will be hoping for more of the same again as he returns to Foxhills almost 12 months to day from that triumph on May 11-13.
The tournament this year contains an enhanced prize fund of £40,000 due to a new three-year sponsorship deal with luxury cruise operator Silversea.
A maximum field of 240 pros will be in action over the course of the week, and will play across both the Bernard Hunt and Longcross courses.
The event will mark the start of a busy summer for Mann who typically spends the bulk of his time coaching amateur golfers at Carnoustie.
He is now junior co-ordinator at the Angus club and works with more than 150 children from the local area who take part in his sessions at the venue.


The experienced PGA Professional can expect keen competition in Surrey in the form of fellow Scottish pros including Campbell Elliott (Haggs Castle), Garry Harvey (Kinross), Stephen McAllister (Stephen McAllister Golf) and 2014 champion Kenny Hutton, picured above, (Downfield).
“If I play like I did last year then I think I have every chance,” explained Mann.
“Listen, I never say I’m going to win before an event but if I play as well as I know I can then I’m confident I can get a top 10 finish. At Foxhills it’s all about hitting the fairways and I did that very well last time.
“I’ve not played a lot over the last few months at the club, but having had a practice round at Foxhills I do feel that my game is in decent shape.”
The man from Carnoustie will be keen not to allow history to get in the way, however - the championship has not been defended in almost two decades since Tommy Horton won four back-to-back titles between 1995 and 1998.

TO VIEW THE EARLY SCORES

CLICK HERE