One for the Ages
Posted July 19, 2009, 5:10 am in GB Topics
Tom Watson missed an 8-foot putt on the final hole of the British Open then lost a four-hole playoff to fellow American Stewart Cink during his thrilling play for one of golf's most coveted trophies.
Watson, who is just a few months shy of his 60th birthday, captivated golf fans around the world with his exciting bid to become golf's oldest major champion this week at Turnberry in Scotland. Twenty-six years after his last major win -- and just nine months after hip replacement surgery -- Watson led the field after the first three rounds, but started to fall apart on Sunday.
Even after losing, he knew he still had reasons to smile.
"This ain't a funeral, y'all," Watson cracked to the world media after losing the British Open.
"The playoff was one bad shot after another and Stewart did what he had to do to win. I didn't give him much competition in the playoff. I take from this week a lot of warmth and a lot of spirituality in the sense that there is something out there. I still believe that. It helped me along."
Watson bogeyed on the last hole of regulation, leaving him tied with Cink at 2-under 278. Watson then bogeyed the first playoff hole and fell apart at the third, the par-5 17th.
After Saturday's round, he became the oldest player ever to lead a major going into the last round. After his third round, Watson told the BBC, “Today was the most serene I’ve ever been on the golf course. I have a game plan and my game plan is working.”
Watson has won the British Open 5 times. At 59, he is a revered figure who joins the PGA Tour players only twice a year now, for the Masters and British Open.
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Rose Lamatt
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Posted 8:33pm July 19th, 2009Well, he didn't make it, but I bet he's gotten a lot of 60 year olds out of their television chairs, dusting off their golf clubs. He will be remembered as the man who almost did it. Win the British Open at age 59. Great golfer, good person, bolder than ever. Thank you Tom Watson.
Rose Lamatt
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Posted 10:54am July 19th, 2009Talk about Bolder. Tom Watson has just birded the 7th hole after putting problems on the first few holes. Nerves maybe, but it seems he's getting it back. Having a psychology degree in college should help him on his second 9. The physical and mental coming together in golf. What is it 'they' say? Golf is 90 percent in your mind.
He has my thoughts and prayers with him that he will win, making it number six at the British Open. Go Tom Tom.