Smyth stalks quarry Mason at Woburn
Des Smyth hopes to deny England’s Carl Mason a hat-trick of victories in the Travis Perkins Seniors Masters at Woburn by recapturing some of his sensational first round form.
Mason shot a second round 69 to Smyth’s 71 to move two strokes clear of the Drogheda man entering Sunday’s final round.
And while the Englishman will be hoping to clinch a record 24th Senior Tour victory and surpass Tommy Horton as the most prolific winner in the history of the European Senior Tour, Smyth has other ideas.
Still hopeful that he can land his third senior title on European soil, Smyth said: “Today was a bit of a struggle as you can expect around here. Yesterday shooting a 66 everything is a breeze but I hit some poor shots today and really had to work hard for my 71. I need to try and find what I had yesterday.”
Mason recorded an eagle and two birdies in his first eleven holes before making amends for two back nine bogeys with a birdie at the last.
Pleased to double his lead at the 18th, Mason said: “This place has been very kind to me and I hope it continues. It is a real test and you can’t relax for one second.
“There is danger with every shot but I just have a nice feel for the place. And if I was to notch that 24th win, there couldn’t be a better place to do it.”
Bill Longmuir, who is just three off the lead after a 69, hopes to make a charge.
He said: “I am still striking the ball beautifully but need to hole a few more putts. I didn’t hole anything out there today but if I can get a few to drop I’ll be right there challenging.”
Travis Perkins plc Senior Masters, Woburn (Par 72)
135 C Mason (Eng) 66 69,
137 Des Smyth (Irl) 66 71
138 D Russell (Eng) 72 66, B Longmuir (Sco) 69 69
140 T Johnstone (Zim) 72 68, A Oldcorn (Sco) 69 71, G Wolstenholme (Eng) 68 72, I Woosnam (Wal) 68 72
141 B Ruangkit (Tha) 72 69, J Bruner (USA) 73 68, J Quiros (Esp) 71 70, B Lincoln (RSA) 71 70, P Fowler (Aus) 71 70
142 Denis O’Sullivan (Irl) 72 70, A Sowa (Arg) 70 72, Jimmy Heggarty (Nir) 71 71
143 M Belsham (Eng) 72 71, L Carbonetti (Arg) 73 70, S Owen (Nzl) 71 72, D Durnian (Eng) 70 73, G Cali (Ita) 72 71, C Williams (RSA) 72 71, M Farry (Fra) 72 71, R Chapman (Eng) 67 76, B Lane (Eng) 71 72, K Spurgeon (Eng) 74 69
144 J Harrison (Eng) 74 70, D Merriman (Aus) 72 72, M Cunning (USA) 71 73
145 J Hall (Eng) 72 73, S Torrance (Sco) 73 72, D Cambridge (Jam) 73 72
146 P Mitchell (Eng) 74 72, J Cañizares (Esp) 74 72, A Fernandez (Chi) 75 71, T Charnley (Eng) 73 73, B Smit (RSA) 72 74, B Cameron (Eng) 71 75
147 Eamonn Darcy (Irl) 72 75, E Rodriguez (Esp) 74 73, M Bembridge (Eng) 79 68, F Mann (Sco) 76 71, J Gould (Eng) 73 74, P Oakley (USA) 74 73
148 M Poxon (Eng) 74 74, N Job (Eng) 76 72, G Brand Jnr (Sco) 72 76, G Ryall (Eng) 75 73, M Harwood (Aus) 73 75, A Murray (Eng) 73 75
149 R Drummond (Sco) 74 75, J Rivero (Esp) 71 78, H Carbonetti (Arg) 72 77, G Banister (Aus) 73 76
150 D Hospital (Esp) 76 74, P Barber (Eng) 74 76
151 T Giedeon (Ger) 76 75, M Piñero (Esp) 78 73, I Mosey (Eng) 74 77, S Cipa (Eng) 74 77, J Chillas (Sco) 79 72, M Gray (Sco) 74 77
153 N Ratcliffe (Aus) 76 77, J Hoskison (Eng) 76 77, V Garcia (Esp) 78 75
154 S Bennett (Eng) 76 78, M Williams (Zim) 80 74, M Clayton (Aus) 77 77
155 G Brand (Eng) 79 76, D Johnson (USA) 81 74
156 M Miller (Sco) 75 81, A Garrido (Esp) 80 76, J Rhodes (Eng) 79 77
157 Eddie Polland (Nir) 79 78
158 G Ralph (Eng) 77 81, T Burgoyne (Sco) 79 79
161 A Johnsson (Swe) 81 80
** Christy O’Connor Jnr (Irl) 78 RT