Officials from the U.S. Senior Open Championship, conducted by the United States Golf Association (USGA), today announced that Tom Watson, the 1982 U.S. Open winner, and Hale Irwin, a five-time USGA champion, have filed entries as exempt players for the U.S. Senior Open Championship.
The 37th U.S. Senior Open will be contested August 8-14 at Scioto Country Club.
Watson, who out-dueled Jack Nicklaus at Pebble Beach (Calif.) Golf Links to garner his U.S. Open title, is a three-time U.S. Senior Open runner-up. Irwin captured the U.S. Open in 1974, 1979 and 1990 and the U.S. Senior Open in 1998 and 2000. Both champions have twice won the PGA Tour’s Memorial Tournament held at Muirfield Village Golf Club, in Dublin, Ohio. Watson was a winner in 1979 and 1996 while Irwin claimed the title in 1983 and 1985.
In addition to Irwin, four U.S. Senior Open champions have filed entries to date – Jeff Maggert (2015), Kenny Perry (2013), Roger Chapman (2012), and Bruce Fleisher (2001). Last year, Maggert’s final-round 65 carried him to a two-stroke victory over Colin Montgomerie. Perry is no stranger to the Columbus area, having won three Memorial Tournaments, including his first PGA Tour victory in 1991. Fleisher claimed the 1968 U.S. Amateur at Scioto Country Club.
“We are thrilled that these great champions have made known their intention to play here in August,” said Walt Dennis, 2016 U.S. Senior Open general chairman. “Scioto Country Club, as part of its centennial celebration, looks forward to the return of major championship golf and we want to thank everyone in central Ohio and beyond for their support and enthusiasm. This collaborative effort will provide an exceptional experience that golf fans will treasure.”
Tom Lehman and Lee Janzen are also fully exempt and have entered for the 2016 U.S. Senior Open. Lehman, the 1996 Open champion, finished as the U.S. Senior Open runner-up 2012. Janzen captured the U.S. Open in 1993 and 1998.
In addition to Watson, Irwin and Perry, Lehman (1994) also won the Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide.
Tickets can be purchased through the U.S. Senior Open website at www.2016ussenioropen.com. A weekly grounds ticket, which is valid Monday through Sunday, is available for $135. A ticket for the 1916 Club, also valid Monday through Sunday and features access to an air-conditioned pavilion with a sports bar atmosphere, is $235.
The championship provides free admission to all children 17 and under who are accompanied by a ticketed adult. The front row of every grandstand is reserved for children.
For general Championship information, including how to volunteer, please visit www.2016ussenioropen.com.
