Greg Norman will return to the scene of one of his greatest triumphs after confirming his participation in The 2006 Senior British Open Championship, presented by Aberdeen Asset Management, at The Westin Turnberry Resort, Scotland, from July 27-30.
The two-time Open Champion is one of 23 Major winners who have entered the £1m tournament with Tom Watson, another player whose career is woven into the rich history of Turnberry, intent on defending the title he won last year at Royal Aberdeen Golf Club.
Norman, third in 2005, and Watson spearhead an outstanding international field of Senior Tour professionals that includes eight more players to have won Major titles before turning 50 - Bob Charles, Hale Irwin, Tom Kite, Jerry Pate, Gary Player, Scott Simpson, Craig Stadler and Fuzzy Zoeller.
In addition to this, Neil Coles, Christy O’Connor Jnr, Stewart Ginn, Jay Haas, John A Jacobs, Peter Jacobsen, Mark James, Gil Morgan, Pete Oakley, Don Pooley, Mike Reid, Loren Roberts and Noboru Sugai have all triumphed in Senior Major Championships.
A crowning achievement in Norman’s hugely successful career came on Turnberry’s famed Ailsa Course in 1986 when he captured the first of his two Open Championships, during which he posted a course record-equalling 63.
Watson is another golfer who is certain to receive strong support as he goes in search of what would be his third Senior British Open Championship title and his third Major Championship at Turnberry, which this year is celebrating its centenary.
The five-time Open winner entered Turnberry folklore when he triumphed over Jack Nicklaus to win the memorable ‘Duel in the Sun’ Open Championship of 1977, before writing another chapter in that success story by defeating England’s Carl Mason in a sudden-death play-off at The Senior British Open Championship in 2003, the last time the event was played at the Ayrshire venue.
The American collected his second Senior British Open title – and his 12th Major Championship in total – when he beat Ireland’s Des Smyth in a play-off at Royal Aberdeen Golf Club last year, with Norman finishing in third place.
Smyth, who is never more comfortable than when playing links golf, will aim to go one better this year and will head the European challenge along with Mark James and Carl Mason of England, Spaniard José Rivero and Scotland’s Sam Torrance.
Tickets for The 2006 Senior British Open Championship, presented by Aberdeen Asset Management – a tournament jointly sanctioned by The R&A, the European Seniors Tour and the US Champions Tour – can be purchased by telephoning the Ticketline on 01334 460010, or by logging on atwww.ticketmaster.co.uk.
A season ticket (which allows entry to the course on all four tournament days plus the practice day on Wednesday July 26) is priced at £50 if purchased before July 1, 2006, and £60 thereafter. A one-day ticket costs £15 (£20) and entry to the practice day is £10. There is no entry charge for U-16s, providing they are accompanied by an adult, and car parking is also free.
