Nine former Ryder Cup captains have been confirmed as taking part in the Senior Open Championship when it comes to Carnoustie for the first time in July, with this year’s United States skipper Corey Pavin becoming the first serving captain to play.
Pavin will be joined by the last five European captains in Sir Nick Faldo, Ian Woosnam, Bernhard Langer, Sam Torrance and Mark James, while Americans Tom Lehman, Tom Kite and, of course, Tom Watson who won the first of his five Open Championships at Carnoustie in 1975 are also confirmed in the strongest Senior Open field ever for the July 22-25 event.
Mark Calcavecchia, the 1989 Open champion, has confirmed that he will make his Senior Open debut, while Masters champions Sandy Lyle and Mark O’Meara have entered and defending champion Loren Roberts will be aiming for a record-equalling third seniors crown.
With a prize fund of $2 million, the Senior Open Championship will again play a crucial role in the European Senior Tour order of merit, just as it did last year when Torrance’s fifth place finish at Sunningdale helped him finish the year as number one.
The 2002 Ryder Cup-winning skipper, who is attached to Fairmont St Andrews across the Tay estuary, knows Carnoustie well and will have the home support behind him.
Torrance said, “Carnoustie is one of the toughest courses around and it will be a fantastic host venue for this year’s Senior Open Championship.
“It’s another great field with all those former Ryder Cup captains and players and some magnificent players making their debuts so the competition will be tough but I’m looking forward to it.”
He added, “It’s always special playing in Scotland and hopefully we will get some more fantastic support like we did at Royal Troon two years ago.”
The large crowds at last year’s Scottish Seniors at Fairmont, despite poor weather, showed that there is a considerable gallery for seniors golf in east and central Scotland.
There is a further attraction in the return of Gary Player to the scene of his Open win in 1968, courtesy of what he still maintains was the “greatest shot of his career” a three-wood into the 14th which landed eight inches from the pin to help him hold off Jack Nicklaus for the second of three Claret Jugs.
R&A championships director David Hill said, “Carnoustie will provide a fantastic venue for the 2010 Senior Open Championship presented by MasterCard, as it has done for the Open Championship on seven occasions.
“I’m sure that many thousands of spectators will flock to see these masters of the game taking on this most challenging of courses once again.”
Tickets are now on sale at a discounted rate for the Senior Open Championship, while hospitality packages at Carnoustie Hotel are also available.
Spectators can buy tickets by visiting www.senioropengolf.com or by calling +44 (0) 800 023 2557, or at the gate.
Day tickets are £25 and season tickets are £70 with substantial discounts available for purchases made now.