Tom Watson heads to Walton Heath for the Senior Open Championship next week on the back on another inspired performance on the biggest stage of all.
The winner of five Open Championships and three Senior Open titles completed a final round of 72 at Royal St George’s to finish The 140th Open at six over par 286. Now, his attentions turn to the senior version in neighbouring Surrey as he seeks back-to-back Major successes following his win in the US Senior PGA Championship last month.
The 61 year old thrilled the crowds in Kent all week, the highlight being his hole-in-one on the sixth hole on day two and will be full of confidence at Walton Heath after battling so well in the challenging conditions all week.
“It was a wonderful experience,” said Watson after his final round. “I didn't have a lot of expectations coming in here, but today I kind of found a little bit of something with my golf swing, hit the ball more solidly. I drove the ball better today and hit some real quality iron shots today. It was a good experience today.
“This golf course with the wind conditions, it makes you struggle, and I'm happy about the way I managed the golf course. I didn't make a double bogey the entire week, and I had a hole in one. I mean, come on. It could get better than that, but holes in one are certainly things to remember, and I'll remember that for a long time.”
Watson has won Senior Open title three times, in 2003, 2005 and 2007 making him the joint most successful player in the championship’s history alongside Gary Player.
This week, thirty years after he was part of arguably the greatest American Team in the historic 1981 Ryder Cup at Walton Health, Watson will return to the Surrey venue to attempt to win a record breaking fourth Senior Open crown.
This year is the 25th anniversary of The Senior Open Championship and many of the game’s most iconic names, including defending Champion Bernhard Langer, Sandy Lyle, Ian Woosnam, Watson, and local hero, Sam Torrance, will be battling it out against each other on the famous Surrey heathland.
The 2011 Senior Open Championship is free for Under 16s when accompanied with an adult. Spectators can also visit the superb Village Brassiere which provides added catering opportunities. For more information visitwww.europeantourtickets.com.
