Watson and Nicklaus produced a thrilling final round in 1977

Gary Player, Bob Charles, Hale Irwin, Tony Jacklin, Andy North, Tom Kite, Arnold Palmer, Craig Stadler and Fuzzy Zoeller are the other Major champions appearing at Turnberry from 24-27 July.

Watson, who showed he can still compete at the highest level when he led last week's US Open with an opening day 65, won the 1977 Open at Turnberry's Ailsa Course.

It was Watson's second of five Open triumphs and he held off the challenge of Nicklaus by just one stroke.

It was the sixth of seven Open second-places for Nicklaus - the most successful golfer of all time with 18 Majors to his name.

The final day in 1977 was dubbed the 'duel in the sun' when the two men went head to head after being tied after three rounds at 10 under par, nine shots clear of the field.

Watson and Nicklaus produced some sensational golf and the lead changed hands several times.

The round reached a dramatic climax at the 18th green where Watson holed an eight foot putt to win.

In addition to the 11 champions with 54 Major titles between them, the field is further augmented by Neil Coles, winner of the inaugural Championship in 1987, Christy O'Connor Jnr, champion in 1999 and 2000, Eamonn Darcy Des Smyth, Andy Bean and Rodger Davis.

Noboru Sugai of Japan will be defending the title following his two stroke victory at The Royal County Down GC in 2002.

With a �1m prize fund, the Turnberry event is richest in the history of the European Seniors Tour and double last year's total purse.

The Senior British Open was last played in Scotland in 1990, again at Turnberry, with Gary Player the winner.