Oldcorn's 15-year wait to defend Jersey title

FRESH from his top-ten finish in the Senior PGA Championship in Colorado, Andrew Oldcorn returns to a happy hunting ground today when he tees up at La Moye in the Matrix Jersey Classic.

Fifteen years ago the Scot was the last winner of the Jersey Open on the same course before the tournament became part of the European Senior Tour schedule and feels like he still has a title to defend this week.

"I've not stepped foot on the island since 1995, when the Jersey Classic was on the main Tour," reflected Oldcorn. "Then the following year Tommy Horton took it for the Senior Tour so I've never defended that tournament. In a sense I'm back here as defending champion."

The tournament begins a run of four European Senior Tour events in the UK and Ireland and former PGA champion Oldcorn added: "It's fantastic in terms of the run of events I'm facing.

"I've missed most of the long- haul events because of when my birthday has fallen, and I've never been a great long-haul traveller anyway, so it has worked out great for me."

Sam Torrance, who regained his European No 1 spot last season, is not playing this week, but Oldcorn is joined in Jersey by Bill Longmuir, runaway winner at Stapleford Park last month, as well as Gordon Brand Jnr, Fraser Mann and John Chillas.