Tom Watson goes for Royal Troon record

Jun 11 2008 Ayrshire Post

ROYAL Troon is preparing for a record bid by golfing great Tom Watson.

Watson will chase a unique treble when he lines up in the Senior Open Championship presented by MasterCard from July 24-27.

If he retains his title, the 58-year-old American will have won The Senior Open on three of the courses where he also lifted The Open, following his previous double victories at Turnberry and Muirfield.

Watson joined Sir Bob Charles as the only player to win an Open Championship and Senior British Open at the same venue when he clinched the Senior Open at Turnberry in 2003, scene of his most famous Open Championship victory in 1977 when he beat Jack Nicklaus in ‘The Duel in the Sun’.

He then repeated the achievement at Muirfield last year, venue for his third Open Championship triumph in 1980.

Now Watson will attempt the treble as he looks to win Senior Open at Royal Troon Golf, the site of his remarkable fourth Open Championship triumph in 1982.

Watson said: “It would be extremely special for me to win on three of the courses that I won The Open previously. I have great affection for the way the game of golf is played on these links courses.

“I think it’s fair to say I also have an affection for the Scots, even though I also won at Royal Birkdale in 1983. In Scotland there is a fabric of golf.”

Tickets for The Senior Open are now on sale. They can be booked from 0800 023 2557 or at www.europeantourtickets.com.