Constellation of possible contenders at the Senior Players Championship
Picking a favorite in the Constellation Energy Senior Players Championship, which begins today and runs through Sunday at Baltimore Country Club, isn’t easy.
Unlike past years, when high-profile stars such as Chi Chi Rodriguez, Lee Trevino, and Hale Irwin won as many as seven tournaments in a season, no player has more than three wins this year on the Champions Tour.
“The talent pool gets deeper every year,” said Jay Haas, 54, the leader in the Charles Schwab Cup standings. “The Champions Tour is on the horizon for these guys now. When I started out, there was no such thing, so there wasn’t a goal to shoot for.”
Multiple winners this year on the 50-and-over circuit include Eduardo Romero, with three wins, and six others with two each – Haas, Bernhard Langer, Fred Funk, Scott Hoch, Jeff Sluman, and Tom Watson.
All are here this week, with the exception of Watson, who is undergoing hip replacement surgery. With Watson — the closest thing to a legend on the Champions Tour — out, Funk will be the undisputed fan favorite in his home state.
Loren Roberts, who captured last year’s Senior Players by six strokes, is back to defend after winning the 26-year tournament in its inaugural season at BCC. The fast, severely-sloped greens at the Donald Ross design appealed to the syrupy stroke of Roberts.
Another who bears watching is Larry Mize, who tuned 50 last month, and is playing in his second Champions Tour event.
“It’s a really good course,” said Mize. “You gotta be good with the irons and the short game is very important with these greens.”
Dr. Gil Morgan, 62, still capable of top 10 finishes in his last two events, believes the tour is more competitive than ever.
“There’s more players at the top now than when I turned 50,” said Morgan, a 25-time winner on the Champions Tour. “There weren’t as many good players out when I arrived and I had a nice window where not many came in after I started playing on this tour.
10 contenders
Eduardo Romero » Long hitting Argentine, 54, is the hottest player on the Champions Tour. Three wins in last five starts including U.S. Senior Open.
Jay Haas » No. 1 in the Charles Schwab Cup standings, Haas, 54, won his second major, the Senior PGA, on Memorial day weekend.
Bernhard Langer » In first full season on Champions Tour, Langer, 51, has two wins and 12 top-10 finishes in 17 events.
Fred Funk » Fear the Turtle. Former Maryland golf coach, 52, won his first senior major, the JELD-WEN Tradition this summer.
Loren Roberts » “Boss of the Moss,” 53, is the defending champion on his way to the 2007 Charles Schwab Cup.
Tom Kite » At 59 still one of the best on tour. Finished second the last two weeks and won Boeing last month.
Jeff Sluman » In first full year on Champions Tour, the personable Sluman, 51, has been one of the busiest players (22 events), winning twice.
Scott Hoch » Perpetual sourpuss, 52, won back-to-back titles early this year.
John Cook » Tough-luck player, 51, leads tour with 13 top 10 finishes, but has yet to win.
Larry Mize » Former Masters champion, turned 50 last month. Won $190,000 on PGA Tour this year.
10 to watch
Hale Irwin » Still grinding away. This will be the 19th event this year for Irwin, 63, without a top 10. Has won 45 times on Champions Tour.
Dr. Gil Morgan » At 62, still competitive with top 10 finishes in his last two events.
Ben Crenshaw » Two-time Masters champion, 56, has never won on the Champions Tour. No. 48 on money list in 15 events.
Fuzzy Zoeller » Fan favorite, 56, whistles while he works. Tied for second in his last event, the Walmart, best finish since winning MasterCard in 2004.
Gary McCord » CBS star, 60, plays when TV schedule allows and still competitive. Had a T3 at Toshiba.
Mark O’Meara » The 51-year-old has not excelled as a senior. Looking for first Champions Tour win. Only one top-10 in 13 starts this year.
Craig Stadler » The Walrus, 55, has not won since claiming five Champions Tour titles in 2004, but has been in top 3 in three events this year.
Bruce Fleisher » Turns 60 next week and hasn’t won on Champions Tour since 2004. Has 18 titles on the circuit.
Scott Simpson » Bill Murray’s perennial Pebble Beach partner, 53, has eight top-10 finishes this year without a win.
Andy Bean » The 55-year-old won the Regions Charity earlier this year and was third last week at SAS.
Constellation Energy SPC
When » Today through Sunday
Where » Baltimore Country Club (Five Farms), Timonium
What » The fifth major on the Champions Tour
Purse » $2.6 million with $390,000 to winner
TV » Golf Channel (Thursday-Friday), NBC (Saturday-Sunday).
