The 53-year-old captured his first Legends Tour title at the Farmfoods European Senior Masters hosted by Peter Baker last week after coming close on several occasions since joining the over-50s ranks in 2018.
The Austrian this week returns to a venue that was the setting for his first professional victory at the 2002 Austrian Open on the European Challenge Tour and he is now looking to use happy memories to replicate success at Golf Club Murhof, Murhof Gruppe.
“I am very excited to play in Austria this week,” he said. “My first professional win came here in 2002 on the Challenge Tour and I only have good memories here. I’ve played a lot of Austrian Amateur Championships at Murhof and I love the course. Two years ago, I didn’t perform so well but I think I got too excited, so hopefully I will be in a more relaxed state this year.
“I have always dealt well with playing at home and being the local favourite. I hope it works out again this year and I will try to use good memories of winning here and in Fontana.”
Brier has been overwhelmed at the praise he has received since his triumph at the Forest of Arden last week and believes it can provide the platform for further success on the Legends Tour, taking inspiration from 11-time Senior Major Champion Bernhard Langer.
“It has sunk in now,” he said. “I received a lot of messages, friends have called and I have done a few interviews. It feels amazing because the first win is always the most difficult, especially as my last one came 14 years ago on the European Tour. I’m really happy, I’m enjoying it and every time someone congratulates me it brings a big smile to my face.
“I’m only 53, so I believe I can win plenty more times. If you look at Bernhard Langer, he is 64 so I have many years to come. My game is in good shape at the moment and I will try to relax, not force it, stick to my game plan and hope to be up there again on Sunday.”
Brier lauded the exceptional hospitality of the staff at Golf Club Murhof, Murhof Gruppe and believes the players can thrive off the positive environment this week.
“I come here every month or two and I know everyone very well here,” he continued. “I got such a warm welcome from the waitresses and waiters to the hotel receptionist. It’s not just towards me because they know me, they are amazing to all the other guys and they try to create a good atmosphere and it feels like one big family.”
There are extra incentives on the par four fourth hole this week as there are prizes available for a hole-in-one. The first professional to make a hole-in-one on the fourth hole on Friday will receive half a kilogram of gold worth €30,000, on Saturday they will receive a Pelican Bay Whirlpool worth €38,000 and on Sunday they will receive an Audi Q4 e-tron worth €60,000.
The action gets under way at 8:30am local time on Friday October 8, with Brier set to tee it up alongside 1991 Masters Champion Ian Woosnam and five-time European Tour winner Barry Lane at 9:36am.
