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Carl Mason: Record-breaking year

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Carl Mason has called on the likes of Nick Faldo, Ian Woosnam and Sandy Lyle to give the European Seniors Tour a much-needed shot in the arm.

Major winners Woosnam and Lyle turn 50 early next year and receive exemptions onto the Champions Tour, but this season's Seniors Tour Order of Merit champion Mason hopes they will return to their roots instead of chasing the riches on offer in the States.

And the Englishman, who won a record five events in 2007, even called on the big-name players to establish their own tournaments to give more prestige to the Tour.

Speaking to Golf Night, Mason said: "It's going to be tough to attract them because they can get on the Champions Tour straight away and the money is great.

"But with them being European-born players and having helped to make Europe what it is today, one would hope they might play in three or four events.

"And they can even hold their own events because they have their own promotional companies, so they could go that way. Bernhard Langer could hold one in Germany, Faldo in England, maybe Lyle in Scotland and Woosnam in Wales.

"We want more tournaments and better prize money and with their support we could create more TV interest and better press coverage. They've got so many things going for them that could help us, so let's hope they think that way."

Confidence

Mason was the undisputed star of the 2007 Seniors season, taking the Order of Merit trophy for the third time, and he admitted he was enjoying his golf more than ever.

"I've just played with so much confidence," he added. "Much more confidence than I ever used to have.

"I've got more belief in myself and when I've got myself in with a chance I've taken most of them, so it has been fantastic.

"I was talking to my caddie Kevin and he told me this season is going to be a tough act to follow.

"But I just want to enjoy playing and I do enjoy playing because it's what I'm best at.

"As long as I keep enjoying it and play the game as good as I can, I can keep going out and winning events.

"The only target I can set myself is to play well and try to win some events."