The 2002 Senior British Open, for sponsorship reasons named Senior British Open presented by MasterCard, was a professional golf tournament for players aged 50 and above and the 16th British Senior Open Championship, held from 25 to 28 July at Royal County Down Golf Club in Newcastle, County Down, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom.

Sugau became the first winner of the Senior British Open to lead after every round since Gary Player in 1988.

[2][3][4] The hosting course, one of the oldest on the island of Ireland, originally designed by Old Tom Morris and located in naturally links settings in the Murlough Nature Reserve, stretching along the shores of Dundrum Bay, was established in 1889.

18-hole stroke play qualifying rounds were held on Tuesday, 23 July, on two places in Ireland, Kilkeel Golf Club and Spa Golf Club, for players who were not already exempt.

The field also included two former runners-up at The Open Championship; Neil Coles (tied 18th) and Simon Owen (missed the cut).