The stunning destination provides an incredible backdrop for the tournament, which is being played across two golf courses: The Bay Course (Fri) and the International Olympic Academy Course (Sat & Sun) as the Legends Tour returns to Greece for the first time in over two decades.
Here we take a look at some of the players to watch out for on the leaderboard and who may fancy their chances of going well this week.
Mikael Lundberg
Sweden’s Mikael Lundberg finished third in the opening event of the season, the Barbados Legends hosted by Ian Woosnam at Apes Hill, Barbados. He carded a new course record along the way and has since qualified for the US Senior Open in three weeks’ time. A player in good form at the start of the season.
“You want this so much and you practice every single day for this, so it’s nice when you feel like your game is getting to a point where you’re hoping it to be.
I was playing very steady in Barbados, I made a few mistakes in the first round, but everybody makes mistakes and that’s why we keep going.
“It’s nice when you have a week that comes together the way you want it, even if you didn’t win. So, you always want more and but that’s why I love getting to the next tournament – I’m really looking forward to this year!
“The Bay Course is a little bit shorter and I think a little bit easier with a lot of wedge shots into a lot of greens, so that will probably mean some lower scores.
The other course – the International Olympic Academy course is quite a bit tougher especially because it’s on the top of the mountain and can be very windy.
“It’s not super tight fairways but if you miss outside them a little bit then that can mean a lot of lost balls! So, it’s tough, especially in the wind.”
Peter Baker
Peter Baker started his season in style, with victory at the Barbados Legends hosted by Ian Woosnam. He overcame Scott Hend in a play-off but hadn’t thought he would make such a fast start:
“I was not expecting this I must say. Coming out of the winter from the UK you try and do your practice and work hard at it, but yeah, that was a really good bonus.”
As for this week, he is impressed by the facilities at Costa Navarino and the test ahead: “What a stunning place this is! First time I’ve been to Greece so it’s nice to come here and the course is in great condition. You’ve got to drive it well and obviously putt well,
nothing new in that, but you know it gives you an opportunity to score well.
The two courses are really beautiful, and the views are absolutely incredible. It’s nice to play new courses and great venues.
“You’re always working on your game and you always try to improve and keep things going. There’s a lot going on underneath the surface so we will be paddling hard
and try to have a good week.”
Scott Hend
Runner-up in the opening event in Barbados, Scott Hend went on to finish tied 4th at the Kitchenaid Senior PGA Championship two weeks ago.
The Australian has performed well in his Legends Tour appearances over the past year and already has one title to his name – winning the 2023 WINSTONgolf Senior Open in Germany.
Now he is looking to put in a good showing in Greece this week and is confident his game is shaping up nicely so far this season:
“Yeah, it’s coming together quite well. Look I mean the work I’ve been doing is obviously paying off a lot better, I’m still yet to get that win that I’ve been wanting to get and it was disappointing to lose a play-off in Barbados.
“The top four finish at the US Senior PGA was fantastic and it feels good leading into the Senior US Open coming up in a few weeks’ time.
“When you’re a little bit younger, it’s putting in the hard yards. I’ve been fortunate enough to be able to hit the ball longer than average my whole career, which sort of helps out here a little bit!
“The golf courses that we play are generally a little bit softer, so having a shorter distance into the greens is a bit more helpful when you’re trying to make birdies.
“It’s nice to be out here playing against guys that I used to play with when I was younger
and they’re a little bit older than me. Then I disappeared. Now I’m back playing against them again. Everyone wants to win wherever you are. It’s up to me and it is just do what I do – if I win tournaments that’s great, but if other guys play better than me, then so be it.”
Raphaël Jacquelin
Raphaël Jacquelin only turned 50 last month and makes his debut on the Legends Tour this week. The Frenchman is in good company and has been warmly welcomed to the Tour by his compatriots. Now he’s excited to see what this new challenge brings:
“Yeah, I’m a rookie – a rookie again. That’s great, it feels great, but I don’t feel like a rookie when I hit the ball!
“A lot of years on Tour and actually, I haven’t played since my last event, last year in Paris. It’s good to be back!
“It’s good to practice a bit more because I’ve been coaching since my last event and when you coach you don’t play that much.
“Let’s enjoy it and bring some fun, especially whenever I know we can make a few birdies around here. Let’s also hope I’m going to bring my game back and I’m playing with friends – it’s going to be fun.”
