Tom Watson has set his sights on further Major Championship success when he returns to Europe for the 25th edition of The Senior Open Championship at Walton Heath Golf Club from July 21-24.
The 61 year old became the second oldest winner of the US Senior PGA Championship a fortnight ago, capturing his sixth Senior Major, and he will now turn his attention to become the outright most prolific winner of The Senior Open Championship.
Watson has won the prestigious title three times, in 2003, 2005 and 2007 making him the joint most successful player in the championship’s history alongside Gary Player.
Now 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, in England, to attempt to win a record breaking fourth Senior Open crown.
“I understand Walton Heath is in marvellous condition,” said Watson. “I remember one of the traits of the course is the heather rough.
“At the 1981 Ryder Cup, I was playing with Jack Nicklaus in an alternate-shot match and I was hitting it all over the place.
“I put him in the heather five times and he put it on the green every time except for one where he was just off the green and I could still putt. Our team did very well but I lost to Howard Clark in my singles match. I’m looking forward to going back there this year and trying to win another Senior Open.”
Walton Heath’s place in history was sealed in 1981 when it became the first European venue to host a Ryder Cup between a combined European Team – rather than Great Britain and Ireland – and the United States.
Watson, went on to Captain America to Ryder Cup success in 1993, was a focal point of the 1981 United States Team, picking up three points alongside Nicklaus in the 18½ - 9½ victory.
Tom Kite and Jerry Pate, who were teammates of Watson 30 years ago, will also return to Walton Heath for the Senior Open Championship in July, as will German Bernhard Langer who will defend the title he won at Carnoustie last year.
Langer made his Ryder Cup debut in the 1981 contest as did Sam Torrance, the 2009 Senior Tour Order of Merit winner who came fifth the last time The Senior Open Championship was played in the south of England, at Sunningdale in 2009.
Advance tickets are now on sale at discounted prices to see the returning 1981 Ryder Cup players at Walton Heath as part of the 25th edition of The Senior Open Championship. Tickets booked before July 1 are now available at £60 for a season pass and any one day passes at £16.50. Visit www.europeantourtickets.com or call +44 (0) 800 023 2557.
