Charles granted farewell appearance at the Open

LONDON - New Zealand golfing great Sir Bob Charles has had his wish to make a farewell appearance at the British Open in July granted.

Charles, who won the 1963 Open at Royal Lytham and St Anne's, will return to the north-west England course to bid the major tournament goodbye.

Charles beat American Phil Rodgers in a playoff in 1963, and is still the only left-hander to win a major.

As with Arnold Palmer at St Andrew's in 1995, the Open's exempt category has been changed so past champions can play if they are 65 and under, rather than under 65.

Charles, who remains the only New Zealander to win a major, turned 65 on March 14. He had indicated that this would be his final year as a professional. He intends to quit the senior PGA tour and move into semi-retirement.

He told online magazine Golf Today that after more than 40 years as a professional, he wanted to spend more time with his grandchildren and elderly parents.

- NZPA