Tom Watson will chase a unique treble and another place in golf’s record books when he targets a first prize of US$320,000 in The 2008 Senior Open Championship presented by MasterCard at Royal Troon Golf Club in Ayrshire, Scotland, from 24-27 July.
If he retains his title, the 58 year old American will have won The Senior Open Championship on three of the courses where he also lifted The Open Championship, 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 Championship at Turnberry in 2003. 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 The 2008 Senior Open Championship at Royal Troon Golf Club, the site of his remarkable fourth Open Championship triumph in 1982, where he claimed the Claret Jug after clawing back Nick Price’s three shot lead with six holes to play in a thrilling finale.
Watson’s love affair with Scotland, where he won the first of his five Open Championships at Carnoustie in 1975, also saw him win The Senior Open Championship in 2005 at Royal Aberdeen Golf Club.
While he has 13 Major titles to his name altogether, including five Senior Majors, Watson has admitted that to achieve this unique treble would rank highly amongst his long list of accomplishments.
Tickets for The 2008 Senior Open Championship presented by MasterCard – which is jointly run by the European Seniors Tour, The R&A and the US Champions Tour – can be booked now either via the hotline on 0800 023 2557 or visiting www.europeantourtickets.com.
European Tour www.europeantour.com