Jacklin's not so royal treatment

Tony Jacklin won both the US Open and the Open

Tony Jacklin is expecting a better welcome at Royal County Down this week than he received on his last visit to the course 35 years ago.

As a two-time major winner, Jacklin will surely be regally looked after by Senior British Open officials as he does battle with the likes of Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Arnold Palmer.

On his last visit, a day before his wedding to his late first wife Vivienne, Jacklin's presence cut little ice with the members of the eminent club.

"I played with my dad and my best man but I wasn't allowed in the clubhouse so we had to go down the road to a cafe for lunch," laughs Jacklin.

"But times have changed and I'm looking forward to getting back," he adds.

The British Open champion from 1969 remembers little about the county Down course apart from the blind holes.

Jack Nicklaus: First visit to British Seniors

"But I recall it as a fine test and I'm hoping I will be able to improve on my not very good record in the Senior British Open.

"I used my two rounds at Lytham as a warm-up and I didn't do too badly.

"I hope to be out at Royal County Down certainly for four rounds and hopefully at the end of the field on Sunday," adds the 1970 US Open winner.

Organisers are sure the presence of Nicklaus will draw huge crowds to the Newcastle venue.

Nicklaus withdrew from the US Senior Players Championship because of injury a fortnight ago but European Seniors Tour officials told BBC Sport Online on Monday that the Golden Bear will be in the Royal County Down field.

O'Connor's absence

It's the first time the Golden Bear has entered the event which started back in 1987.

Palmer last played in the tournament in 1995 but Gary Player is a regular having won the competition on three occasion - including at Royal Portrush in 1997.

Sadly holder Christy O'Connor Junior will not be able to challenge for a third successive victory after breaking his leg in a domestic accident earlier this year.

O'Connor's absence will disappoint many but the presence of Nicklaus is sure to more than make up for the majority of fans.