KEY POINTS:
Two-time winner Sir Bob Charles goes into this year's senior British Open golf championship at Royal Troon Golf Club with some fine form behind him.
The championship will be played on the Scottish club's course from July 24-27 and when Charles tees up, he will be the only player to have contested every senior Open since the event was first held in 1987.
The evergreen New Zealander this year marks the 45th anniversary of his British Open win at Royal Lytham & St Annes.
He continues to compete at the top end of the European Seniors Tour leaderboards at the ripe old age of 72.
It is also the 15th anniversary of the last of his two Senior Open Championship victories, at Royal Lytham & St Annes in 1993.
Charles, who first claimed the senior title in 1989, has scored top 20 finishes in Jersey, Wales and Ireland so far this season.
He shot scores lower than his age five times this year, with a 71 and 70 in Poland, a superb final round 69 in Jersey, a 71 in Wales and, most recently, a first round 71 in Ireland.
Charles said he had many fond memories of the Senior Open Championship, having finished runner-up on six occasions.
"I've won it twice and I've played in every one so it is special for me. It was first played in 1987 and I'm hoping to keep the record going.
"I'm really looking forward to playing Troon. I had a fifth place there in the 1962 Open, which is the best finish I have had there."
Charles felt his game was in good shape this year and he was hitting the ball "a little bit longer".
"I don't expect much of my game at my age but I love the game, I love to play and I love the competition."
He is far from finished - he intends to continue playing for a while yet.
"I just like to think I will still be playing at the 50th anniversary of my Open Championship win."
Among this year's field will be defending champion Tom Watson, who is the only other player to have won an Open Championship and Senior Open Championship at the same venue.
Making their debuts will be Europeans Bernhard Langer, Sandy Lyle and Ian Woosnam.
"I think the field is great for this event," said Charles. "With Watson and the new European players such as Langer, Lyle and Woosnam, I think it will be a hugely successful event."
- NZPA
