Five-time Open champion Watson plays the last league round on Sunday

Watson has never missed a stopover in 18 appearances at the Senior Open

Tom Watson has said he is withdrawing from competitive golf by playing his final round in the Senior British Open on Sunday at Royal Lytham & St Annes.

The eight-fold big winner made the announcement five weeks short before his 70th birthday.

"I have long thought about the decision I made," said the five-time Open champion, who has also won three senior Open titles.

"I just don't have enough tools in the toolbox to compete successfully."

Watson, whose five Open champion victories put him in one shy of Harry Vardon's record, also said he had played his last US Senior Open.

The American drilled a 20ft putt on the 18th green at Royal Lytham and told reporters that he no longer hit the ball far enough to compete with the over-50s senior.

& # 39; It is a sensible assessment of the current state of my game, "he said.

The winner of the Senior Open in 2003, 2005 and 2007 is 11 behind the leader, Paul Broadhurst, England, entering the final round.

Watson first entered the Open in 1975 and immediately captured the Claret Jug when he defeated Australian Jack Newton in an 18-hole play- off in Carnoustie.

He triumphed again two years later after the famous & # 39; Duel & # 39; in the Sun & with Jack Nicklaus at Turnberry, and added further titles in 1980 (Muirfield) , 1982 (Royal Troon) and 1983 (Royal Birkdale).

In 2009, at the age of 59, Watson had a golden opportunity to become the oldest ever great champion ever, just for the last hole in Turnberry bogeyen that pushed him into a play-off with Stewart Cink that he was going to lose.