The America veteran will return to the majestic Ayrshire links this summer for the Senior British Open. Watson, 62, famously won the Duel in the Sun Open against Jack Nicklaus in 1977.

But he suffered play-off anguish at Turnberry in 2009, just missing out on becoming the oldest Major champion ever when he lost to Stewart Cink.

However, the five-time Claret Jug winner, who won his first over-50s title at Turnberry in 2003, said: "That week only increased my love for the place. Of course, on the Sunday I was distraught. It tears your guts out when something like that happens.

"I felt extreme disappointment that night, but one good thing that came of it was the response of people around the world.

"Thousands of people wrote to me along the lines of 'I too am older and had given up playing golf or had quit doing something I felt I was too old to do.

"But you have given me so much hope that I'm going back to work at it and try again'."

Watson, who bagged eight Major titles during a glittering career, hopes will be back to full fitness as he targets a fourth Senior Open crown. The Kansas great revealed: "I have a nerve strength problem in my right hand caused by mowing for a number of hours at my farm back home.

"I can't grip the golf club properly, but the doctors say the strength will come back in time.

"I assume I'll be ready and able to play in July and hopefully Turnberry will give me another of those great challenges."