TWO TIME Senior Major Champion Roger Chapman is hoping for another fast start to his season when the Sharjah Senior Golf Masters presented by Shurooqgets underway at Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club on March 8-10.

The Englishman, who won back-to-back Majors at the US Senior PGA Championship and the US Senior Open in 2012, finished in fifth place in Sharjah last year and he’s aiming to hit the ground running as he embarks on a full schedule on the Staysure Tour for the first time since those Major wins.

“I really enjoyed the tournament last year,” said Chapman. “None of the players really knew what to expect with it being held on a nine-hole course but I thought the layout was very good, the holes were great, the variation on tee positions on the par-3s and par-5s made it feel different on each nine and it was a good test of golf.”

Chapman has his sights firmly set on a high finish on the Order of Merit this year having committed to playing exclusively on the Staysure Tour for the 2018 season.

“After my two Senior Major wins in 2012 my exemption on the US PGA Tour Champions ran out in July last year and it was nice to come back to Europe and play. It was a good change to travel on a Wednesday and come back on a Sunday night – whereas in America, Cathy, my wife, and I would travel from April until July - three months living out of a suitcase. I enjoyed that. We had a good 5-6 years out in the States, but it’s nice to come back to Europe and play with my good friends again. I was always a bit more relaxed playing in Europe. I was playing a bit better and got some confidence going and played OK.

“I’m aiming for a top five finish on the Order of Merit, and now that I’m committed to playing a full schedule I believe that’s within my grasp.”

Chapman headed to the Middle East early for some practise at the European Tour Performance Institute at Jumeirah Golf Estates before the event andhe’s happy to have escaped the English winter.

“I had a couple of visits from my coach, Gary Nicol, who came down from Scotland and I have hit a few balls but the weather in the UK hasn’t been much good,” said Chapman. “Being in Dubai gives me the chance to get some sun on my back before I go over to Sharjah for the tournament. I’m looking forward to competing again and seeing how the tournament plays second time around.”

His Excellency Marwan bin Jassim Al Sarkal, CEO of the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), sponsors and co-organisers of the event, said: “It is no coincidence for Shurooq to be associated with the Sharjah Senior Golf Masters, which will inaugurate the prestigious 2018 Staysure Tour season.”

He added: “Our constant endeavour is to enhance Sharjah’s global appeal, be it in sports, tourism or attracting foreign investments, and we are proud to be sponsoring an event that will place the emirate at the forefront of this landmark event, offering some of the most celebrated international golfers their first competition platform of the season. We wish all players the very best and hope that this edition surpasses the achievements of the last one.”

Entry to this year’s Sharjah Senior Golf Masters presented by Shurooq, is free of charge.

For more information contact the Sharjah Golf and Shooting Club Academy office, Tel: +9716 548 7777 e-mail: academy@golfandshootingshj.com