By Kent Gray
Paul McGinley will seek his maiden Staysure Tour victory and first European title in 13 years at next month’s Sharjah Golf Masters presented by Shurooq.

Europe’s last successful Ryder Cup captain from 2014 at Gleneagles in Scotland has been confirmed as the headline act for senior tour’s season-opener at Sharjah Golf and Shooting Club from March 8-10.

The last of McGinley’s four main tour European Tour titles came at the 2005 Volvo Masters. He went close to breaking through on the European Senior Tour (now Staysure) when he finished tied second at October’s Farmfoods European Senior Masters, a shot adrift of Welshman Stephen Dodd.

McGinley, who turned 51 in December,  placed 41st on last season’s senior’s order of merit with €34,504. He played just one main tour event last season but missed the cut at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open after rounds of 76-76.

Related: McGinley set to host 2019 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open

The Irishman is one of 14 former Ryder Cuppers conformed for Sharjah: Des Smyth, Ronan Rafferty, Costantino Rocca, Gordon Brand Jnr, Barry Lane, Phillip Price, Jarmo Sandelin, Miguel Angel Martin, Peter Baker, José Rivero, Philip Walton and Steven Richardson are the others.

Clark Dennis, who became the first American to win the John Jacobs Trophy for topping the Order of Merit in 2017 and was also named Rookie of the Year is also confirmed along with defending champion Chris Williams of South Africa.

South African Chris Williams won the inaugural title after a playoff with Englishman Gary Marks.

Two-time Senior major champion Roger Chapman, who became the first European to win both the KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship and U.S. Senior Open in the same season in 2012, and 2016 Senior Tour Rookie of the Year Magnus P Atlevi, who secured his maiden Senior Tour title at Le Golf National, host venue of The 2018 Ryder Cup, at the Paris Legends Championship, will also play.

Phil Golding will also look to add another title after doubling his number of Staysure Tour victories to four in 2017 with wins at the Swiss Seniors Open and Travis Perkins Masters.

As in 2017, the tournament will be played over the nine-hole golf course at Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club, with two loops of nine holes utilising different tees and hole locations.

Speaking on the return of the Staysure Tour season to Sharjah, His Excellency Marwan bin Jassim Al Sarkal, CEO of the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), said: “We look forward to the return of some of the biggest and most prominent names in the senior golf sports, many of whom shared memorable experiences during their last participation at the Sharjah Senior Golf Masters 2017.

“Similarly, we are excited to welcome some of the new names participating this year, all of which sharing a dedicated commitment to going after the title shot.”

“Some of the big names slated to participate this year have competed in golf courses all over the world, each attaining a unique memory behind their experiences. Sharjah has long been one of these distinctive destinations for several golf players, and especially for the senior golf masters. We see these types of tournaments as key opportunities for us to give tourists, visitors and golf enthusiasts a taste of authenticity, nature and culture when practicing a prestigious sport such as golf in Sharjah.”