Tom Watson Leads British Open With 18 Holes to Go

He's 59. Fifty-nine. He isn't supposed to be leading the British Open. Hell, Tom Watson isn't supposed to be contending in the SENIOR British Open at this point, but there he is, at 4-under par with 18 holes left to have his name engraved for the sixth time on the famed Claret Jug.

He's the John McCain of this championship, hoping that for a second, golf will forget the number of years he's been around and just focus on his incredible ball-striking and wonderful lag putting that has him above guys half his age. On Saturday at Turnberry, Watson shot a 1-over 71 in windy conditions to keep himself above the pack at this very different Open Championship.

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Why is it so different? Besides the obvious leader, someone that would have surprised if he had won 10 years ago, names like Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson are nowhere to be found. Defending champion Padraig Harrington is t-64th after a third round 76. Steve Marino, Mathew Goggin and Ross Fisher are trying to become the first lesser known golfer to win at Turnberry.

On Saturday, Watson didn't let the four bogeys in his first 15 holes discourage him. Anyone that has ever played links golf in the wind knows that bogeys are inevitable and as long as you can avoid the big numbers, you'll be fine. Nope, Watson just trundled along, waiting for his opportunity to cash in a couple of birdies, that came on the par-4 16th. A birdie there, followed by a two-putt birdie at 17 had him back atop the leaderboard. If you think Watson can't handle the pressure, know this -- on the last three holes at Turnberry this week, Watson has made five birdies and no bogeys.

While Goggin and Fisher are both at 3-under, the real threats come from the pack at 2-under. Lee Westwood and Retief Goosen are always names that come up when this championship arrives. Goosen has won the U.S. Open twice and his eagle on the 17th on Saturday got him back in the conversation for Sunday. Westwood, who was part of the Tiger show the first two days, has quietly shot two rounds of 70 both Friday and Saturday in windy conditions. If his putter gets even a touch warm tomorrow, he could post a number and run away with this thing.

But the conversation keeps coming back to Watson. If, by goodness, he wins this thing tomorrow, where does it rank? Will a win at the British by a 59-year-old trump Jack Nicklaus' victory in 1986 at Augusta? Nicklaus was 46 at the time and well past his prime. Will this win, Watson's ninth if he can make it happen, make him the greatest links player ever (if he isn't already)? What would a win like this do for all senior tour golfers wishing they could find the magic that once made them the world's best?

Those questions have a day to be answered. Right now, let us just enjoy what has been a remarkable performance by an old star. Watson has loved the British Open for decades. Will the Open, once more, love him back?