Simpson relishing Gleneagles debut

Former Lombard Trophy runner-up Paul Simpson will be aiming to go one better when he tees off in this year’s event at Gleneagles.

The West Berkshire pro will partner amateur player Richard Muldoon as the pair travel to Scotland to take on the PGA Centenary Course, which will host next year’s Ryder Cup.

Simpson (pictured left), a former European Tour player and PGA Professional champion, last appeared in the final in 2007. On that occasion he played alongside Mark Kendal, and the duo finished in second place behind Machynys Peninsula Golf Club.

Now Simpson and Muldoon (right) are taking part in the £43,600 grand final on September 3-4 and Simpson, 42, admitted he is playing it cool before heading to Gleneagles.

He explained: “I took a little break to Devon recently, it’s the school holidays and I just spent some time on the beach, but I’m back into focusing on Gleneagles now.

“It’s not a venue I’ve ever played before so it’ll be a new experience for me, but it looks like a beautiful course and I’m really looking forward to the event.”

Simpson admitted that playing in the final before will be an advantage as he teams up with Muldoon, a 52-year-old hospital budget manager from Hungerford who plays off a handicap of nine.

He said: “I’ve played a fair bit of tournament golf over the years so you’d like to think you’re prepared.

“I was in the final before so you tend to know what to expect. I think you know what to do and how to get out of trouble if you have to.

“It would be nice to do better than I did last time when we just missed out.”