Those were the words of Ernie Els as he looked ahead to this week’s ISPS HANDA Senior Open at Sunningdale.
It’s a sentiment that is shared by many fellow greats of the game who are lining up to play in the fifth and final Major Championship for the over 50s, the only one to be held in Europe.
Widely regarded as one of the finest layouts in Great Britain & Ireland, the Old Course at Sunningdale is known for its beauty.
In its three previous occasions as host venue for the Senior Open, the best winning score was 16 under when American Marco Dawson won in 2015.
In a star-studded affair, 16 Major Champions from across six continents, 18 Senior Major winners, over 30 Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup players and more than 100 winners from the DP World Tour and PGA TOUR are set to play.
Here, some of the most recognisable figures from the game look ahead to the challenge of teeing it up over the heathland of Berkshire.
Darren Clarke (2022 Senior Open Champion)
I used to live here, used to play a lot of golf at Sunningdale. I live just a couple minutes away. I’m staying at the other course I’m a member of called Queenwood which is very nice. I’ve got best of both worlds. Any chance you get to come and play Sunningdale is always wonderful. The course is wonderful. Not quite as fiery as it was then, fairways are a little bit softer, greens are a little bit softer right now. But if it dries out a little bit, I’m sure we’ll get it being that little bit fireier which I’m more used to Sunningdale playing like.
Ernie Els (Best finish of tied third at 2022 Senior Open)
I’ve been looking forward to this all year. When I saw it on the schedule, even last year, I was like, ‘man, that’s the one we want to be at’. You know, feels like home, being at home. Been here for 28 years. Played the golf course so many times, so many friends here. So, I’m really pleased to be here. I’ve been a little bit quiet the last month or so. So, I’d like to get some form back. This will be a great week to try and do that, being so familiar with the surroundings and friends. So, this is the last Major of the year, so you might as well give it your best effort. The golf course is in absolute pure condition. The fairways are perfect. The whole thing is just perfect. The greens are running as good as I’ve ever seen. I think if you have good weather, we’ll get some good scoring. The guys have been looking forward to playing Sunningdale. It’s in great shape.
Pádraig Harrington (Runner-up at Senior Open in 2022, 2023)
I feel good. What’s not to feel good about here in Sunningdale? It’s beautiful, a fantastic course. The weather is very nice at the moment. Everything to look forward to. I’m in a good place to compete for sure. You know, coming down here I wasn’t too sure how well this course would suit me. I know it’s a great course but it can get very fiery. It’s fiery at the moment. So right now, I’m very happy. I would like it to stay that way for the week.
Colin Montgomerie (Runner-up at Senior Open in 2014)
It’s very rare that it comes around that you’re playing at home but it’s just a lovely place to be. It’s a beautiful spot. All the Americans love it here. They think it’s their Pine Valley in many ways, which is a huge compliment for Sunningdale, and it’s great to be at home. I think if I had one last round to play, this would be right at the top of the list. I think it’s one of the nicest walks, the best walks in golf, whether you’re carrying your own bag or card and pencil or TV cameras watching, whatever it is, it’s one of the best walks in golf. We’re very, very lucky to have it where we do and it is superb, absolutely superb; the design, the look, the feel, the atmosphere. I think it’s a course that suits me more than some. It’s not the longest course, par 70 is quite strict, mind you. It’s a tough 70 with only two par fives but at the same time, got to hit the fairways. And that’s what I do; the best I’ve done in my career is hit fairways. So if I can do that, we can score. You never know. If a couple of putts go in we can get into some sort of contention, not just competing in the tournament but actually into contention. So we look forward to it. I really am excited to perform well. I’ve got my son caddying for me, Cameron, who is off scratch himself. He knows his way around here as well. So we’re looking forward to the whole event.
Miguel Ángel Jiménez (2018 Senior Open champion, runner-up in 2021)
The golf course looks stunning, as always. Not as far as four, five years ago. But, well, we will see what is going to happen this weekend. I feel good. Golf course is nice and I am very, very pleased to be here. I missed a short putt here on this hole and Stephen Dodd holed more or less the same putt that I had. He holed and I miss and that’s golf. It was very nice match in 2021 and I hope this week to be in the same position. We’ll see. My game is good. All year I’ve played very well. I have four victories this year and I’m really looking forward to the last Major tournament of the year.
