JOHN Harrison tees off in the biggest tournament of his life at Carnoustie today with at least three positive thoughts to help him switch on the right mindset for his debut in The Senior Open Championship.
Matfen Hall’s director of coaching knows full well only his absolute best will do against golfers such as 60-year-old Tom Watson, who returns to the course which launched his love affair with links golf .
Watson won the first of his five Open Championships at Carnoustie in 1975 – he was runner-up last year – and he is chasing a record fourth Senior Championship victory.
The American is also attempting a third Senior title on a course on which he has previously won the Claret Jug, having already achieved his personal “double” at Turnberry (2003) and Muirfield (2007).
Should Harrison, ten years younger than Watson, finish above him, there’s a few other big names he’s got to clamber past to get to the title such as Bernhard Langer, Ian Woosnam, Fred Funk, Sandy Lyle, Craig Stadler, Tom Lehman, Sam Torrance and Mark Calcavecchia – although, at 74, it’s mission impossible for Sir Bob Charles.
Then there’s Car–nasty to contend with. As Watson said yesterday: “I believe this is the toughest of all the links courses I’ve played. It’s got water, it’s got difficult burns and it’s got that wind.”
For all that, Harrison has no reason to feel out of place. Lying 33rd of the 130 players on the Senior Tour money list, he qualified for the tournament by winning one of only four places available for non-exempt players through their positions in the rankings.
Yet because you can’t play on the tour until you turn 50, Harrison missed the first four Senior Tour events played this season.
Then there is what former Ryder Cup vice-captain Des Smyth said after playing in the same group as Harrison for the first time during the PGA Seniors Championship at Slaley last month.
“Where have you guys in the North East been hiding this guy?” asked Smyth, eight times a winner on the European Tour.
“I have never seen a better pure striker of the ball and I have played alongside golfers like Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson, Gary Player and Seve Ballesteros. John is a fantastic golfer.”
Yesterday, Harrison went out for the final practice round with Mark James, Gordon Brand junior, and Barry Lane.
