Dixon’s Order of Merit challenge at Saunton

Former European Tour winner David Dixon faces an exhausting time as he juggles with his immediate golfing future next week.

The Somerset player from Enmore Park is attempting to earn enough money to retain the European Tour status he regained at last year’s Tour School. He also wants to claim a top three place in the PGA in England and Wales (South West) Order of Merit.

He would then qualify for the PGA Play-Offs at Saunton in October where rich playing opportunities to compete in Tour events are on offer.

One of the heroes in the PGA Cup win over the United States in California last year faces a conflict of interests next week. Having missed his last five European cuts he needs to finish the season on a high note.

But he is playing in the final West Order of Merit tournament, the long-established West Region PGA Championship over 36 holes at Saunton’s famous East course, on Monday and Tuesday August 22-23 which is followed by a 35-team pro-am on Wednesday.

This will give him a great chance to reach the Play-Offs as he is lying fourth. He then makes a long and difficult journey to compete in the Made in Denmark tournament at Himmerlands Golf Resort.

He said: “There is some difficulty in getting to the Denmark course, but I’m seeing the Play-Offs as a back-up option if I don’t finish high enough in the Race to Dubai. It would be great to qualify to play in the next PGA Cup as well.”

Dixon has now claimed four Order of Merit titles including the West Region Championship at The Players Club two years ago.

But he will meet stiff opposition from last year’s OOM champion Lee Thompson (Dudsbury) who has won his last four pro-ams. He and Liam Bond (St Pierre) are joint leaders with PGA Cup colleague Paul Hendriksen (Ivybridge) a close third.

Ross Langdon (Brickhampton Court), Sion Bebb (Morlais Castle), Richard O'Hanlon (St Kew) and Stuart Little (Minchinhampton) are still capable of taking the title while 15 players have a mathematical chance of claiming a Play-Off place.

James Ruth (China Fleet), the 2013 champion over the same course, is playing well enough to triumph again but he cannot make the Play-Offs.

Little, who has played more than 300 European Tour events, bids to win the famous Lidgerwood Trophy for the fourth time in three decades. Other winners since 1920 read like a who's who of West Country golf stars. They include former Open champions Reg Whitcombe, Max Faulkner and Alf Perry as well as 14 Ryder Cup players, among them Peter Alliss, Bernard Hunt, Gordon Brand Jnr and Phillip Price.

Three other titles will be decided. Tracy Loveys (Bigbury), who is seeking her third successive Women’s Championship, faces a big challenge from former European winner Lydia Hall (Hensol Golf Academy) who made history at Tenby when she became the first woman golfer to win the Welsh National PGA Championship at Tenby last month.

Assistants’ Champion Toby Hunt (St Mellons) also meets stiff opposition from 43 players as he seeks his hat-trick of titles. Kelvin Aitken (Chippenham Golf Centre), winner of the seniors’ title for two years, is not playing so a new champion will be crowned.

It could well be home professional Albert MacKenzie who has just been named as captain of the next PGA Cup team after his successful stint as vice-captain in America last year.  Former European Tour player Andy Beal (Salisbury) has just reached 50 and will be a formidable contender.