The final day of the Mastercard Senior British Open at Royal County Down will sign off under a blanket of grey skies, Irish mist and winds strong enough that might just upset Japan's Noboru Sugai, the man who has led from the start and takes a commanding six shot lead into the last round.
The 52-year-old from Tokyo leads the £500,000 event on six-under with his nearest challenger, John Irwin from Canada, leading the chase on level par. Both will tee it up alongside South African John Bland (+1) in the final group, due to take to the course at 12:25 p.m.
Tom Watson may have blown his chances with yesterday’s 76 leaving him eight shots to make up but the legendary American may give it one final effort in pursuit of glory in his maiden Senior British Open. All week the five-times British Open winner has played conservatively as he tries to understand the Newcaslte links.
Watson plays alongside Ireland’s Christy O’Connor Jnr and Scotalnd’s John Chillas, the 51-year-old who has stuck closest to Sugai over the first three days. Chillas, like Watson, is two-over while O’Connor jnr starts a shot further back.
Northern Ireland’s Gordon Parkhill was the first senior to complete the course and his final round 85 may serve as an indication that the testing conditions from yesterday have not abated. At 35-over, the amateur who turned professional once he turned 50 will not collect much prize money but the fact he made the cut makes him eligible to play in next week’s De Vere PGA Seniors Championship at Carden Park in England.
At yesterday’s press conference Sugai said he was surprised to still be leading. What’s more, he will be looking over his shoulder keeping an eye on the quality players gathered behind him. The chasing pack are not exactly breathing down his neck but are certainly still within striking distance as this course commands full respect.