Peter Senior may be talking down his chances of following his Australian Masters triumph with a second Australian Open title in four years on Sunday, but rivals aren't buying it.
The 56-year-old Senior became the oldest player to win the Masters with a two-stroke triumph at Huntingdale on Sunday but he was quick to downplay his prospects for the Open against the likes of world No.1 Jordan Spieth, Adam Scott and Lee Westwood on the longer course at The Australian in Sydney.
Greg Chalmers, who like Senior is a two-time Australian Open champion, won't be at all surprised if Senior is back in contention this week.
"He's just a phenomenal competitor," said Chalmers on Monday.
"If I was allowed to bet on golf, he'd be a good bet every week because he's always fighting, he never gives up."
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The 42-year-old Chalmers finds Senior inspirational.
"That's the great thing about golf," he said. "Every now and then it just reminds you that a career is a long time and if you keep fighting and battling away, you never know what's around the corner.
"I know he's had a battle with injuries and stuff like that this year, so for him to pull out and win there is just phenomenal."
Nick Cullen, back on home turf after missing the chance to defend his Australian Masters title due to an unsuccessful tilt at European Tour final qualifying school, acknowledged that the Huntingdale was more to Seniors liking than The Australian Golf - but said that didn't mean too much.
"The guys who are usually at the top (at Huntingdale) are not the longest hitters. I can see how he can see it playing into his hands little, but who knows? Cullen said.
"(The Australian) is normally pretty long but I asked a couple of the guys out here and they said it was a little softer than last year.
"Length will probably play a little bit more of a factor here but, any week, if you're hitting it straight and you're chipping and putting it well, you're not going to be too far off."
Cullen said he had fond memories of watching Senior win the 2012 Australian Open title nearby at The Lakes, when the veteran won in torturous conditions including 80km/h winds that meant play did not finish until nearly 8pm.
"That was brutal that year. He was unreal that year and the same yesterday at the Masters.
"A few guys were going backwards and he just holed putts when he had to.
"He's still got it. He's been so good for so long, he's definitely something special."
