Tom Watson believes that Carnoustie Golf Links, host of this week’s Senior Open Championship Presented by Rolex, is the toughest course on the Open rotation.
The eight-time Major Championship winner secured his first Open Championship in his first attempt at Carnoustie in 1975 and has returned aiming to win a record fourth Senior Open title.
However, Watson acknowledged that the course’s fierce nature will not make his attempt at a first Senior Open title since 2007 a straightforward one.
“There is no let-up anywhere on the golf course,” said Watson, whose other Senior Open wins came in 2003 and 2005.
“There are no short par fours that you hit an iron in to and can then just be care free with on your next shot. Every hole and every shot has an issue to it and you have to deal with those issues when you play this golf course. Carnoustie is all teeth.”
The 66 year old has ten top 15 finishes at the Senior Open, including last year when he took a share of 15th as fellow American Marco Dawson won his first Senior Tour title.
Watson admitted he will need to call on his knowledge of Carnoustie in order to take back the title and add to an impressive trophy haul that includes five Claret Jugs.
“At Carnoustie, you’d better drive the ball well. It’s imperative here.
“The important thing is to have the trust in the driver so that I know I can do what I need to do with it to put the ball in play,” he added.
Watson will be vying with two-time Senior Open winner Bernhard Langer for victory this week and said he isn’t surprised that the German is still able to compete at the highest level.
“Bernhard keeps himself in marvellous shape. He’s the odds-on man to win every time he tees it up.
“I didn’t start losing my distance until about four years ago and that’s part of the deal with aging. It’s hard to accept, but when you have that 150-yard shot into the wind, it’s no longer an eight-iron. It’s maybe not even a seven-iron, but a six.”
The former United States Ryder Cup captain will tee off with 1995 Open Championship winner John Daly and eight-time Senior Tour winner Colin Montgomerie at 13.50 on Thursday.
