| 1987 Seniors' British Open | |
| Dates: | 23–26 July 1987 |
| Location: | South Ayrshire, Scotland |
| Coordinates: | 55.316°N -4.833°W |
| Course: | Turnberry (Aisla Course) |
| Lang: | uk |
| Org: | The R&A |
| Tour: | Senior PGA Tour |
| Format: | 72 holes stroke play |
| Par: | 70 |
| Yardage: | 6558yd |
| Field: | 87 players, 66 after cut |
| Champion: | Neil Coles |
| Score: | 279 (−1) |
| Map: | Europe#United Kingdom#Scotland |
| Map Label: | Turnberry |
| Map Relief: | yes |
| Map Size: | 230 |
| Next: | 1988 |
The 1987 Seniors' British Open was a professional golf tournament for players aged 50 and above and the first Seniors' British Open (later known as the Senior Open Championship), held from 23 to 26 July at Turnberry Golf Resort in South Ayrshire, Scotland, United Kingdom.[1]
In 2018, the tournament was, as all Senior British Open Championships played 1987–2002, retroactively recognized as a senior major golf championship and a PGA Tour Champions (at the time named the Senior PGA Tour) event.[2] [3] [4]
52-year-old Neil Coles won by one stroke over Bob Charles.[5] [6]
During the opening round of the tournament, the weather was calm and Coles led the field with a 4-under-par score of 66. On the second day, there were strong winds on the course and the lowest score was 72, achieved by two players, Peter Butler and Brian Huggett. On the fourth and final day of competition, it was both blowing strong and raining and the only score under par was made by Bob Charles, with a 3-under-par score of 67.
A £500 bonus prize was awarded to John Panton, as the leading player over 70 years of age.
See main article: Turnberry (golf course).
The Ailsa Course at Turnberry, situated 80 kilometres south of Glasgow, Scotland, on headland along the Firth of Clyde, overlooking the Isle of Arran and Ailsa Craig, was initially opened with 13 holes in 1901, designed by Willie Fernie, and later completed to 18 holes. It was redesigned by Mackenzie Ross between 1949 and 1951.
It was the first of four Senior British Open's in a row played at Turnberry.
The course had previously hosted The Open Championship twice; 1977 and 1986.
The course was shortened nearly 400 yards compared to the set up at the 1986 Open Championship.
87 players entered the competition. 66 of them made the 36-hole cut.
The field included five former winners of The Open Championship, Bob Charles (2nd), Arnold Palmer (tied 3rd), Gary Player (tied 6th), Peter Thomson (9th) and Kel Nagle.
Sunday, 26 July 1987
| Place | Player | Score | To par | Money (£) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Neil Coles | 66-73-67-73=279 | −1 | 25,000 | |
| 2 |  Bob Charles | 67-74-72-67=280 | E | 16,400 | |
| 3 |  Arnold Palmer | 68-73-70-74=285 | +5 | 9,150 | |
| 4 | Peter Butler | 73-72-68-73=286 | +6 | 7,350 | |
| 5 |  Harold Henning | 68-73-78-70=289 | +9 | 6,150 | |
| T6 | Gary Player | 69-75-72-75=291 | +11 | 4,720 | |
| Ross Whitehead | 70-78-69-74=291 | ||||
| 8 | Rafe Botts | 72-73-76-77=298 | +18 | 3,610 | |
| 9 |  Peter Thomson | 77-73-70-79=299 | +19 | ||
| 10 | Brian Huggett | 74-72-75-79=300 | +20 |