Watson holds on to win third Senior British Open

Tom Watson’s three-shot lead in the Senior British Open was in peril and memories of his back-nine collapse at the U.S. Senior Open three weeks ago returned.

But that was in 90-degree heat at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin. Sunday he was at cold and blustery Muirfield, where the five-time British Open winner and master of Scottish links courses is at home.

Watson fired his tee shot into a fairway bunker at the last hole and took two to get out of the sand, but he survived a double bogey to win his third Senior British Open in five years.

“This has been a very serene week for me,” Watson said of his one-stroke victory after finishing with a 73. “The weather was right up my alley, good blowy conditions, a little rain here and there. The beauty of the place, I feel very comfortable.”

Watson, who also won two Masters titles and one U.S. Open, captured his fifth senior major with an even par total of 284. He finished one ahead of Mark O’Meara (72) and Stewart Ginn (75).

Watson, who won this tournament at Turnberry in 2003 and Royal Aberdeen two years ago, made it five American victories in a row after triumphs by Peter Oakley in 2004 and Loren Roberts last year. Seven of Watson’s eight triumphs in Britain have been on Scottish links courses and next year’s Senior British Open is at another, Troon.