Third big week for Watson

SENIOR US OPEN : TOM WATSON begins his third major mission in as many weeks today when he tees off at the US Senior Open at …

SENIOR US OPEN: TOM WATSON begins his third major mission in as many weeks today when he tees off at the US Senior Open at Crooked Stick Golf Club in Carmel, Indiana.

The 59-year-old came close to pulling off the most astonishing victory in British Open history at Turnberry, but fluffed his lines late on to see the chance to equal the six Claret Jug record set by Harry Vardon in 1914 disappear.

He continued his fine form last week at the Senior Open Championship at Sunningdale, finishing joint eighth on seven under par, five shots behind Loren Roberts.

The Kansas City-born player finished 13 strokes behind winner Eduardo Romero in a share of 23rd spot at the US Senior Open last year, but appears determined to maintain his impressive recent run at Crooked Stick this week.

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“I’ve won the Senior PGA,” said Watson. “The Senior Open is the other one I’d like to win the most on the Champions Tour.”

Also competing this week are the likes of Bernhard Langer, Greg Norman, Hale Irwin and Ben Crenshaw.

Mark McNulty, who was beaten by Roberts in the play-off at Sunningdale, is the only Irish representative in the field.