IS THERE no end to Tom Watson's determination to etch his name again into Turnberry folklore? Robbed on Thursday evening of the title of oldest man to lead the Open after its first round, Watson simply went out yesterday and made history by becoming the oldest man to lead the tournament after two rounds.
A 60ft putt from Miguel Angel Jimenez saw him displaced at the top of the leader board on Thursday; a 60ft putt from Watson at the same 18th hole returned him to the top again. He shares the lead with the relatively unknown Steve Marino, an American
who has never played links golf before.
Watson, on the other hand, is the master. No question. He proved he was no fair weather champion yesterday, although he did wobble slightly while the conditions were wilder in the early part of the afternoon. The spectators were still sitting in their cagoules when Watson arrived at the 18th green. The sun shone only briefly. The dust kicked up by Watson's heels was only the metaphorical sort, and the likes of Tiger Woods tasted it.
He would have been handed a standing ovation had he dropped to last on the leader board during the course of his second round. That he was still near the top at this stage was extraordinary, particularly given a return of five bogeys in the outward nine. When he walked off the green in equal pole position, after what he termed a "no-brainer" putt, those present were encouraged to believe that Watson truly has returned to re-claim an ancient throne. Like last year, when 53-year-old Greg Norman led going into the weekend, class told. "You start at any age, and you can continue to play this game for a very long time," said Watson. "It doesn't surprise me that people in their 50s can still compete against the kids."
Norman wilted during his last round at Royal Birkdale, but Watson truly believes he can last the pace. No Open champion since 1967 has been over 44 years of age. "I hope I can break that streak here," said Watson.
He had spoken on Thursday night about how he felt the spirits were with him, and he was asked what he really meant by that last night. "Well, I guess it's the memories," he said. "The memories are with me. All the wonderful memories I've had playing links golf.
"You know, walking down the fairways, walking up the greens, people showing their respect for me, me showing my respect for them. It's been that way since 1975. For 35 years I have played links golf. It's a fabric of my life, I can tell you that. Making a few lucky putts here and there and still feeling like I have a chance to win, that's pretty cool at the age of 59."
He had sat and read a book about climate change before setting out in the company of Sergio Garcia and Matteo Manassero, the 16-year-old who high-fived Watson on the 16th after he replicated the veteran's 60ft putt. Watson later evoked Jack Nicklaus' when recalling this scene, though the Golden Bear has retained such a presence here that he might as well have been listed in the field of competitors. "It made me think of when I was playing with Jack at Augusta at the 16th hole," he said. "Jack made this putt, this big curling putt, and then I made it right on top of him. And I was lot younger than Jack then. Here the table were turned. I told him (Matteo] on the way down the 18th hole. I said: 'don't change anything, just keep enjoying the game and you'll get there'."
Watson has been 'there' for over 30 years, and has given himself a chance of winning his first major title since the 1983 Open at Birkdale. Of his five Open titles, that was the only one claimed on English soil. The sprig of lucky heather handed to him by a little girl in Monifeith on the eve of his victory at Carnoustie in 1975 has retained its power. When his ball dropped into the 18th hole for a last, brilliant birdie, he forgot about his hip replacement operation of last year to perform an exultant high-kick. "It's my Scottish jig," he later smiled. Garcia, Manassero and Watson all warmly embraced at the end, while the veteran shook the hand of every marshal surrounding the hole. When he entered the media room for his post-round press conference, he offered an exaggerated shrug in front of reporters, and threw his hands in the air. It was as if to say: 'aw, shucks who'd have guessed it would be me again?'
Only the leaders have an obligation to come into the media tent. After his appearance on Thursday few truly believed they would have the honour of his company again the following night.
No-one had expected Watson's heroics again yesterday, particularly in stormier conditions than faced on Thursday. Watson saluted the Ailsa course, and seemed to be glad of the challenge. "Lady Turnberry took off her gloves today," he said. "She showed her teeth." The man from Kansas spent last night looking across its acres from his room at the Turnberry hotel. His suite has been divided between him and Vijay Singh, who is just two shots behind the leaders. "Vijay has the big part of the suite, and I've just got a room," he laughed. "He pays the big bucks."
Although he began with a birdie, he began to slide down the leader board with a string of subsequent bogeys. Those watching either on the course or on television saluted him with a silent farewell, believing this marked the end of a wonderful tale. It was never going to last, was the feeling yesterday morning. Watson was expected to stand aside and let the young guns by. Those who believed he could not hang onto second place were right. Watson did not just maintain his position among the challengers, he bettered it. Tied for second place on Thursday night, Watson prepares for the final two rounds as joint leader.
Surely every single person with a romantic bone in their body cheered his monster putts at the 16th and 18th holes. The last one, secured from a position on the fringe of the green that appeared closer to Girvan than the pin, seemed to turn just when it looked in danger of inching past the hole. Even the ley lines beneath this ancient land appear co-ordinated to work in Watson's favour.
