Steen Tinning is hoping that history repeats itself next week when he returns to the scene of his first significant professional victory, The Celtic Manor Resort in Newport, for the SSE Enterprise Wales Senior Open.

It was all of 15 years ago when the ‘Great Dane’ pitched up at Celtic Manor for the inaugural Wales Open. Against the odds, and the weight of home expectations, Tinning edged past the fans’ favourite, Ian Woosnam, to lift his first European Tour title.

Now, a decade and a half later, Tinning is back on Welsh soil from May 29-31 for the first Wales Senior Open to be played at the complex which hosted The 2010 Ryder Cup, although this time played over the Roman Road course.

The 52 year old understandably holds Celtic Manor in high esteem, having triumphed there after 15 years on Tour without entering the winner’s circle, and he admits that toppling ‘Woosie’ on his own back yard added to the sense of achievement.

“What I remember most was the sense of relief, finally winning a tournament after being on Tour for so long," said the Florida-based player. "The feeling of beating a high class field was second to none, and it brushed away all the doubts I had about ever winning an event.

“I played alongside Woosie in the final round and it was clear that just about everyone was willing him to win. However, I remember making a birdie at the second hole and that helped me to relax. When I birdied the 14th and 16th, I was ahead and eventually David Howell three putted the 17th to make sure I got home by one shot.”

That breakthrough proved to be the defining moment of the Dane’s career, and he followed up by winning the Madrid Open three years later. Then, upon turning 50 at the end of 2012, he hit the ground running on the European Senior Tour by winning the Berenberg Masters and the English Senior Open on his first full season among the over-50s.

“Becoming a winner on Tour changed everything," he said. "I found myself paired with the best players and enjoyed the prominent tee times. Just a month after winning in Wales I played in The Open at St Andrews and my partners were Ernie Els and David Duval, who were ranked second and third in the world at the time. It was a new, but very enjoyable experience.

“I have so many very happy memories of Celtic Manor. Although I missed some cuts in the years immediately after winning, I played again as a past champion in 2012 – over the Twenty Ten course – and completed all four rounds. That was such a thrill.”

Woosnam is back on home soil along with a group of players who Tinning overcame back in 2000 – among them Sam Torrance, Mark Mouland, Gordon Brand Jnr, Andrew Oldcorn, Jamie Spence, Barry Lane and Phil Golding, who won the last Wales Open Senior at Royal Porthcawl back in 2013.

Tinning, who plays in the Senior PGA Championship Presented by KitchenAid in Indiana this week, can’t wait to tee up over the Roman Road.

“It’s great to see Woosie back to his winning ways, both on our Senior Tour last season and recently on the US Champions Tour," he said. "The Tour needs a big time player playing well and winning and Ian seems to have got all his motivation back. I would enjoy another head to head with him at Celtic Manor next week.”