FORMER Masters champion Ian Woosnam spearheads the home challenge at this year’s Wales Senior Open, as he bids to go one better than 12 months ago.

A quarter of a century since his triumph at Augusta, the 58-year-old is looking to land a maiden European Senior Tour victory on home soil.

Woosnam returns to the Celtic Manor’s Roman Road course tomorrow after finishing runner-up to England’s Paul Wesselingh last time round.

Englishman Wesselingh is back to defend his title while past winners Carl Mason, Philip Golding, Bill Longmuir and Barry Lane are also in the 54-man field.

“I am delighted to be returning to Wales to take part in this year’s SSE Enterprise Wales Senior Open,” said Woosnam.

“This is a title that I have wanted to win since I started playing on the European Senior Tour, and I could not ignore the opportunity to return to the Roman Road course at Celtic Manor Resort.

“I have come close to winning on four occasions, and I am keen go one better this year.”

Woosnam is joined at the tournament by fellow Welshmen Paul Mayo and Glyn Davies, pros at Pontnewydd Golf Club and the host venue respectively, Mark Mouland and Peter Evans.

A host of Woosnam’s fellow former Ryder Cup teammates will also take to the Roman Road course over the next three days.

Eamon Darcy and Gordon Brand Jnr, who helped Europe secure their first win on American soil at Muirfield Village in 1987, go for glory in Newport.

And the same goes for Mark James, Philip Walton and David Gilford, all members of the 1995 European team which beat the USA at Oak Hill.

Ronan Rafferty, Paul Broadhurst and Lane – teammates of Woosnam in 1989, 91 and 93 respectively – are also involved, as is Des Smyth, who featured in the Ryder Cup in 1979 and 81.

The three-round event, which has a first prize of €50,000, starts tomorrow morning and finishes on Sunday.