Norman said he has different priorities now compared with when he was the world's top player in the days before Tiger Woods. But he still wants to do well on the golf course without the routine of daily practice.
| Advertisement |
|||
| |||
"It's totally different nowadays with your expectations then when you are the No. 1 and people expect you to perform," he said. "Nowadays, my practice routine and my happiness and where I want to be in my life, it's totally different for me.
"So I can waltz in there like (I did) at Birkdale and I can be realistically honest with myself. Deep down inside, do you want to perform well. Always, you want to perform well."
Lyle will be happy if he can just complete the first two rounds.
The Scot on Wednesday explained his early exit from the Open last week, saying a sore and numb left hand forced him to retire after just 10 holes.
"Last week was not a thing I like to do on a regular basis. But you'll know from talking to my previous caddies I've had sore hands and knuckles for a couple of years now. ... I was playing with a sort of numb knuckle in my left hand and I couldn't let it continue."
Apart from Watson and Lyle, Norman has familiar rivals who have won tournaments this year.
Seniors newcomers Ian Woosnam and Bernhard Langer have each won two events. But Jay Haas, who won his second Senior PGA title in three years, has pulled out after the death of his sister-in-law.
Watson also has a Champions Tour victory this season and could complete his third Open double. He has won both the Open and Seniors Open at Turnberry and Muirfield, and another of his five Open triumphs was at Troon in 1982.
"It doesn't look like they're taking much pity on us old people as far as the length of the golf course is concerned," Watson said of the 7,064-yard, par-71 links course that will have most of the same tee placements as for the Open.
"It's going to be a very long and difficult golf course at Troon here."
