Turnberry, England, July 28: American Tom Watson won the senior British Open by beating England's Carl Mason on the second hole of a sudden death playoff. The 53-year-old's victory, after a six-under-par 64, revived memories of his famous 'duel in the sun' success against Jack Nicklaus in the 1977 open on the same course.

''I consider it a great honour to win this championship, particularly at Turnberry where Jack and I fought out that great battle all that time ago,'' said a delighted Watson yesterday.

Yesterday, it looked as if Watson would have to settle for second place as he bogeyed the 72nd hole for a 17-under-par 263. But he got a second chance when mason took six on the same hole. Both players had par fours on the first extra hole before Watson won with a par four on the second playoff hole.

Watson has now won two senior majors on top of the five opens, two masters and one US Open he won in the 1970s and 1980s. He also has five champions tour titles under his belt now along with 39 on the US PGA tour.

Mason has the consolation of jumping to the top of the European seniors tour order of merit after coming second, but he could not hide his disappointment at letting the most prestigious prize in seniors golf slip from his grasp. Bureau Report