THE SENIOR British Open will yet again offer the highest prize fund on the European Seniors' circuit when the event, with £350.000 in prizemoney, takes place at Royal Portrush for a third successive year on July 24th-27th.
Brian Barnes, who captured the title in 1995 and again last year, yesterday confirmed he would chase an unprecedented third championship in consecutive years.
"Royal Port rush is one of my favourite venues and my back-to-back victories at the last two Senior British Opens rank amongst my greatest golfing achievements. The Open victory by Max Faulkner, my father-in-law, at the venue in 1951 has made my recent successes even more special and I look forward with relish to mounting a challenge for a hat-trick of wins," he said.
Gary Player, Bob Charles, Tom Wargo and Tommy Horton, who topped the European Seniors' Tour money list last season, are also committed to playing in the championship, while a number of recent graduates to the seniors' circuit, among them Dr Gil Morgan, John Bland, Vicente Fernandez and Jose Maria Canizares will also be participating.
"We are delighted to welcome back this prestigious championship for a third successive year," said Royal Portrush captain James Kinley, at yesterday's confirmation that the Dunluce course would play host to the event.
"The positive reaction to the course last year by players, international television commentators and spectators alike reaffirms its status as one of the top links courses in the world."
