Fifty-nine, 52 and 49. Nope, those aren't scores shot on the front nine Thursday by different golfers struggling with the wind; those are the ages of Tom Watson, Mark O'Meara and Mark Calcavecchia, respectively, three past Open Champion winners who are all in contention in 2009 after opening rounds that would make you think it's 1998 again.
Watson was the story of the day early, shooting a first-round 65 to take the early lead at the Open on a course he made famous in 1977 when he out-dueled Jack Nicklaus for his second of five Claret Jugs. O'Meara, who made it two majors in the same year back in '98 with an arm-raised win at Royal Birkdale, opened with a 3-under 67 that included seven birdies at Turnberry. Calc, who hasn't been a factor on the PGA Tour since 2007, when he won the PODS Championship, tied O'Meara at 3-under par, and is currently just two shots back of Watson.
Rightfully so, the talk heading into the British this week was about two things -- Tiger Woods' mandatory win this week, or risk being crucified by sportswriters young and old, and Watson revisiting the Duel in the Sun, which ended 32 years ago with the same score he shot on Thursday.
Watson has always cherished the British Open, and the Scots have in turn concluded that he is their long lost son of the west. Watson is planning on making St. Andrews in 2010 his last Open at the ripe age of 60, waving goodbye with one foot lifted on the Swilcan Bridge. Right now, Watson looks like he has another thing on his mind ... complete what Nicklaus couldn't at the 1998 Masters -- at the eerily similar age of 58. Pull off one last win at the event that made him famous. Jack closed with a 68 that year to finish sixth. Watson did him one shot better to par on Thursday.
No surprise there. At Turnberry, it always seemed Watson was a shot ahead of the Golden Bear.
Follow British Open updates all week on Twitter here, @shanebacon.
Comments (Page 1 of 2)
tom watson ..... the biggest ussy ever to be on tour
no thts bull
Tom Watson is a gentleman and a five-time British Open champion. You are nothing.
Obviously you wouldn't know a pussy if it stared you in the face.
Man, you can't even play golf, I can tell!
Much less drive a car!
Go Tom!
(1) Golf is not a sport.
(2) Golfers are not athletes.
(3) Eldrick Woods is not black.
(4) Putting is not golf.
Only cuz you're not there, "P" ussy!
Tiger Woods dominates par-72 venues, because modern technology turns the par-5 holes into par-4 holes for Tiger. But at par-70 venues, like Turnberry, Tiger is just another average pro. At par-70 venues, Tiger Woods' winning percentage is just average.
none you posting herecould not break 130 on this course--watson know how to play 5 british opens, so keep your dumb remarks to something else
Yea Tom!
I think that's just great. It's wonderful seeing you up at the top like that. Make it a wonderful weekend...
odds are against him but good luck any way.
How can anyone dislike Tom Watson? What a creep furrsher must be.
I'm sure I could break 130, but I'm still going to root Watson on. I hope he plays around par tomorrow so that he'll be contending on the weekend.
just a great feel good story, hope he plays well the rest of the way, go TOM
Tiger Woods take note...The TRUE CHAMPIONS of golf are playing and making news. You are not even in their class of players. Oh by the way "WHERE IS Tiger Woods ANYWAY?" Why isn't he playing?
Old Guys sure can still Rule!. Way to go and keep it up!.
wow, Tiger not a true champion? Tiger at times struggles just like evryone else, but he always has a nack for putting himself in contention at the end of the weekend. I for one want Tiger to win it, but at the same time admire and respect one of golf's great in Tom Watson, and would love to see him become a 6 time champion!
Oh my bad, Tiger is playing BUT is STRUGGLING! He is outmatched in this tournament.
You are out matched on this board! You are a real IDIOT!!!
Funny all you Tiger haters. If one guy can demonstrate how you go out and play your best even if you don't have your A game that day, and perhaps fix what is wrong. I've seen him do it soooo many times. However, you've got to root for the 5 time Open champ Tom Watson. Fairway and greens Tommy.