Tom Watson – the grand old master of golf at the age of 61 – has been giving us glimpses of magic at The Open. And his second day hole in one at the 16th is one of the highlights of the 140th staging of this famous tournament.
Two years after having a putt to win a record-equalling sixth Open title and become the oldest major winner, Watson rolled back the years once again on day three at a wet and windy Royal St George’s. As rival scores around the course soared, the popular American shot up the leaderboard with an impressive 2 over par 72.
Watson is quite simply unique – the only sportsman in the world in his 60s still competing with the very best.
Another impressive round of 72 in wretched conditions on the final day gave Watson a highly respectable six over par total for the tournament – one shot ahead of the new US Open champion Rory McIlroy. But it was 42-year-old Darren Clarke, the oldest winner of The Open since 1967, who finished with the famous Claret Jug and three shots clear of the field on five under par.
