Golden oldie Tom looks to go one better
TOM WATSON is out to re-write the Open history books at St Andrews this week – at the age of 60.
The American legend came within a whisker of becoming the oldest Open champion 12 months ago when he lipped a nine-foot putt on the final green at Turnberry before losing to Stewart Cink in a play-off.
Now the five-time champion, complete with artificial hip, is back for a seventh Open Championship campaign at the Home of Golf, and a 33rd in all.
But despite a half-decent season, which has seen him finish eighth at the Dubai Desert Classic and in the top 30 at both the Masters and US Open, Watson admits he will have to pull out all the stops if he is to emulate Harry Vardon, the only man to lift the Claret Jug six times.
“God, I hope a 60-year-old guy can do that. That would be pretty cool,” he said. “I never think about my history in the Open. What I think about is I’m still here as a competitor to try to play the golf course the best I can and that’s what I’m doing.
“I wish I was playing as well as I was last year coming in here. I’m putting well, but I’m not striking the ball that well, so that concerns me, especially in the wind. Frankly that’s where I am right now. It’s no different than what it was, except I’ve got an artificial hip, I’m a little stiffer and don’t hit the ball as far. But I do have a little more experience under my belt.”
Watson’s remarkable performance 12 months ago makes him exempt to play for four more years under a new R&A?ruling, and another top 10 finish would extend that further and even allow him to return to St Andrews in 2015.