MICHAEL Watson is hoping for a successful summer where he will show “there’s still life in the old dog yet” after a winter without much golf.

It has been a quiet 2016 so far for Watson, who has started his campaign by finishing 37th at the Cornish Festival and ninth at the Minchinhampton Pro-Am tournament.

And with the Order of Merit competition about to get in full swing, the Weymouth-based golfer can’t wait to get properly started.

The Wessex Golf Centre professional told Echosport: “I’m chomping at the bit.

“I like competing and I need to get on the golf course.

“I haven’t played much golf, which is a shame. I like to play a lot, and I am desperate to get going.”

The big ambition for Watson this year is once again qualifying for the PGA Cup, something he did back in 2015.

“I want to qualify for that (the PGA Cup) again, because that would be fantastic,” he explained.

“I want to do well in everything. I’m fortunate from my performances in the Club Pros last year that I am exempt from regional qualifying so go straight into final qualification for The Open.

“I want to get back to the play-offs in Turkey, but the competition is getting harder.

“Us old guys have been around for a long time. I’m still going to try my hardest, there’s still life in the old dog yet.”

It’s will be a long summer of competition for Watson, however he is still confident of making it a successful one.