Golf: Jacklin's happy return: Former Ryder Cup captain opens new career

TONY JACKLIN returns to the scene of his Open Championship triumph in 1969 when he starts his career as a senior golfer in Britain at Royal Lytham and St Annes in today's Senior British Open.

Jacklin made a disappointing debut on the US Senior Tour last week, finishing 76th in the Ameritech Open, and said: 'I'm going to take some time to get settled, but I'm looking forward to getting stuck in.'

The former Ryder Cup captain is reunited with the New Zealander, Bob Charles, the runner-up at the Open in 1969, who is paired with Neil Coles, the 1987 winner, for the defence of his title.

Jacklin plays with Gary Player, pipped for the first prize last year and winner of the senior event in 1988 and 1990.

However, the chief attraction is likely to be Arnold Palmer, while the British players, John Morgan, Malcolm Gregson and Tommy Horton, are in contention.

Ireland's best hope rests with Liam Higgins while the Italian trio, Renato Campagnoli, Alberto Croce and Roberto Bernardini, are also in the running.

SENIOR BRITISH OPEN (Royal Lytham and St Annes) Selected draw for today's and tomorrow's rounds (GB or Irl unless stated): 08.30 and 12.40: R Campagnoli (It), L Higgins, D Smith (US). 08.40 and 12.50: M Damiano (Fr), * J Hirsch (US), M Gregson. 08.50 and 13.00: B Charles (NZ), N Coles, J Morgan. 09.00 and 13.10: T Horton, A Palmer (US), A Garrido (Sp). 09.10 and 13.20: G Player (SA), A Jacklin, T Wargo (US). 09.20 and 13.30: B Waites, B Veireey (SA), D Dalzeil. 14.00 and 10.00: * M Hughesdon, A Croce (It), M Ingham. 14.40 and 10.40: R Bernardini (It), R Fidler, L O'Neill (US).

* denotes amateur