One To Watch?
Sandy Lyle tops the European Senior Tour Order of Merit, and could be a favourite in Brunei
Current European Senior Tour pace-setter Sandy Lyle, who turned 53 on February 9, is on top of the 2011 Order of Merit – and is bidding to join Ian Woosnam as the only other former Harry Vardon Trophy winner, and Major Champion, to win the Senior Tour Order of Merit.
Lyle’s Senior Tour campaign continues at the Aberdeen Brunei Senior Masters presented by The Stapleford Forum, having already earned €66,575 in 2011 – meaning he has nearly matched the €72,223 he amassed in his first three seasons on the Senior Tour in just two appearances this term.
Consecutive top five finishes in Australia and Japan have given Lyle a €12,076 cushion over Peter Senior and he will look to extend that margin at The Empire Hotel and Country Club in Brunei with a maiden Senior Tour title and first tournament win since 1992.
Lyle finished tied sixth in Brunei in 2009, which remained his best Senior Tour finish until he began the 2011 season by finishing runner up in the Handa Australian Senior Open and tied fifth in the Handa Cup Senior Masters in Japan in November.
Lyle will have to beat last year’s champion, BoonchuRuangkit, and a host of fellow European Senior Tour competitors at the Aberdeen Brunei Senior Masters in March to retain his position at the top of the Order of Merit.
