He has won both the Open and Senior Open at Turnberry and Muirfield, and another of his five Open wins was at Troon in 1982.
“It doesn’t look like they’re taking much pity on us old people as far as the length of the golf course is concerned,” said Watson, noting that the course will have most of the same tee placements as it does for an Open. “It’s going to be a very long and difficult golf course.”
Despite Watson being the defending champion, much of the focus will be on Greg Norman — who was using the British Open as a warmup last week and almost made history with stellar play for most of the week.
“I’ve warmed up,” Norman said. “Now my expectations are good. I’ve got to step up.”
The tournament will be televised on TNT from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. today and Friday and on ABC this weekend.
•Jim Furyk is the defending champion, going for three in a row.
•TV: 2-5 p.m. today and Friday on Golf Channel, 2-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday on CBS.
LPGA Tour
•Evian Masters at Evian, France.
•Natalie Gulbis is the defending champion, her first LPGA Tour title.
•TV: 5:30-7:30 p.m. today and Friday; noon-2:30 p.m. Saturday and noon-2 p.m. Sunday on Golf Channel.
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