SUNNINGDALE, England — Four days after his heart- rending playoff defeat to Stewart Cink at Turnberry, Tom Watson shot a 3-under-par 67 on Thursday to begin his pursuit of a fourth Senior British Open title.
The 59-year-old Watson, who almost became the oldest major champion at the British Open last weekend, was three shots behind leader Fred Funk.
Funk birdied five of his last eight holes, including holing a bunker shot at No. 17, for a 6-under 64 — the lowest opening round in the history of the championship.
“The first nine could have been 3- or 4-over, and the back could have been 8-under,” said Funk, who had a two-shot lead over fellow Americans Jay Haas and Loren Roberts, Des Smyth of Ireland and Christopher Williams of South Africa.
Watson was another stroke back and tied with Tom Kite, Jerry Bruner, Greg Norman of Australia and Sam Torrance of Scotland.
Bernhard Langer, who has two Champions Tour wins this year, opened with a 72.
Watson said he hadn’t watched a replay of his missed putt on the final hole at Turnberry, an 8-footer for par that would have won him the Claret Jug.
“I don’t want to. That was the ugliest stroke in the world. I don’t want to relive that thing,” Watson said.
