Senior British Open

The Senior British Open was first played in 1987. However, it wasn't until 2003 that the tournament was designated a major by the Champions Tour.

The winner of the Senior British Open receives a spot in the field for the following year's British Open.

2012 Senior British Open
Fred Couples moved up the leaderboard with a 64 in the third round, then sank a birdie putt on the final hole to close out victory. In the fourth round, Couples shot 67 and finished at 9-under 271, two strokes ahead of runner-up Gary Hallberg. It was Couples' 8th overall Champions Tour win, and his second win in a senior major.

Official Website
Champions Tour tournament site

• 72 holes: 263 - Tom Watson, Carl Mason, 2003
• 18 holes: 62 - Jim Colbert, 2003

From 1995-2004, the tournament was played in Northern Ireland all but one year, but hasn't visited Northern Ireland since.

The Ailsa Course at Turnberry was the site from 1987-1990 and continues as a frequent host course. Muirfield, Royal Troon, Carnoustie, Sunningdale and Walton Heath are other courses currently in the mix.

• While the tournament was designated a Champions Tour major beginning in 2003, major championship status was not retroactively bestowed. That means winners prior to 2003 are not credited with a major by the Champions Tour.

• When Russ Cochran won in 2011, both his sons were working the tournament as caddies. Older son Ryan was on the bag for Mike Goodes while Reed caddied for his father. Goodes finished tied for seventh.

• Bob Charles played in every Senior British Open from the first in 1987 until 2010, 24 straight appearances. He won twice, in 1989 and 1993.

• Gary Player (1988, 1990, 1997) and Tom Watson (2003, 2005, 2007) are the only 3-time winners of the tournament. Because his wins came prior to 2003, however, none of Player's wins are counted as Champions Tour majors. If the Champions Tour in the future decides to count those early Senior British Opens as majors, then Player's total of senior major victories would increase to nine, and he would surpass Jack Nicklaus (8) as the Champions Tour leader in majors.

• Three golfers have won both the British Open and the Senior British Open: Player, Watson and Charles.