Debutant Nicklaus makes 'Big Three'

The original "Big Three" – Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Arnold Palmer – are among the starters today for one of the strongest men's seniors fields ever assembled.

The Royal County Down course in Northern Ireland sees Nicklaus making his Senior British Open debut, paired with England's Neil Coles and New Zealand's Simon Owen in the first round.

"That's a great draw and it will certainly get the adrenalin going," said Owen, a Seniors Tour rookie. "I haven't met Jack since he beat me into second place in the 1978 Open, but it's something I still think about from time to time. I've got a lot of warm memories."

Player tees off with the former Ryder Cup captain Bernard Gallacher and Ireland's Denis O'Sullivan, while Palmer is paired with Japan's Seiji Ebihara and Australia's Ian Stanley.

Also in the field is another former Open champion, Bob Charles, America's Dave Stockton, Tony Jacklin and Sergio Garcia's father, Victor, who is also making his Open debut.