Norman set for Turnberry return

Greg Norman is set to return to the scene of his maiden major championship victory after confirming he will play in The British Senior Open Championship at Turnberry next month.

Former world number one Norman, 57, will play the July 26-29 senior major 26 years after finishing five shots clear of Gordon J Brand over the famous Ailsa Course to win the 1986 Open Championship.

The Australian, who claimed a second Claret Jug at Royal St George’s in 1993, said Turnberry will always hold a special place in his heart and he is relishing a return to the renowned Scottish links next month when he will join fellow Turnberry champion Tom Watson in the field.

“I’m really looking forward to returning to Turnberry for this summer’s Senior Open,” Norman said.

“I’m sure once I arrive the memories will come flooding back. Turnberry will always be special to me as that is where I won my first major championship.

“But aside from my victory, there is also some great history at Turnberry. It produced the ‘Duel in the Sun’ between Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus in 1977. That finish where Watson pulled out the victory will not soon be forgotten.

“So this place produces some dramatic golf.”

The Great White Shark has recovered from the shoulder problems that caused him to miss the last two Senior Open Championships but he sounded uncertain about his ability to join Bob Charles, Gary Player and Tom Watson as the only players to have achieved a Senior Open and Open Championship double.

“My shoulder is much better now and I’m at full strength, but I can’t practice like I used to,” he said. “I used to put in eight hours a day practicing and I would be the first and last player left on the range. I miss the competition but to tell you the truth I don’t really miss the long practice sessions.

“It would certainly be great to win the double, but I have not played in many tournaments this year so we will have to see what happens.”