139th British Open;Tom Watson says goodbye to Old Course
After placing a final hole birdie; Tom Watson the five times open champion waved a good bye to St. Andrews on Friday.
The 60 years old Tom Watson while standing on the Swilcan Bridge, bent down and kissed the ancient stones to say a goodbye. Tom Watson played his last and final round of the British open at old course St. Andrews on Friday after shooting a 3 over 75.
Spectators stood in a dull fading light to see the last of the Tom Watson when he walked on the bridge right behind Padraig Harrington and Ryo Ishikawa. Although he bade goodbye here but the former champion will be seen again in the 2011 Open Championship. According to the R&A (Royal &Ancient) past champions can play as a qualifying player till the age of 65 so Tom Watson still has 5 years to go.
While parting from the course Tom Watson stated that while standing on the bridge he remembered that Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus too stood in a similar posture all silent and giving a thumb up sign to their fans on their last opens. Hope fully this was not the last of the five time open champion.
He has given amazing shots in his career even at the Turnberry when he stood at the second place losing the playoff to Stewart Cink. Although he went to the 72nd hole with a one stroke lead but there was not anything spectacular to that. Later he missed an 8 foot par putt and let Stewart Cink take the Claret jug home.
When everyone was disappointed from Tom Watson’s defeat it was his manners that reflected a true sportsman spirit even at the age of 60.This is what golf lovers’ love about Tom Watson. The 60 year old had to stop after every few seconds to wave at the fans leaning over from the second floor of one of the hotels lined near the18th hole.
Neil Oxman the caddie wrapped his arm around the player while walking towards the 18th fairway. This gesture of support showed respect for the game in the hearts of Scottish people. They love the game with passion as the game itself belongs to Scotts.
To make it magical Tom Watson tried shooting an eagle but it ended as a birdie just like Jack Nicklaus on his last day of the opens.
The player had three bogeys in the 8th 16th and the 17th hole with a double bogey at the 5th. Couple of more bogeys are expected from 134 other players taking part in the tournament at the 17th hole. At the same time he scored two birdies at 9th and the 18th of the second round.
To sum up tom Watson’s performance he played two rounds in the open with 4 birdies, 2 in the first round and 2 in the second. He finished 13 par in the first and 12 in the second. He had 6 bogeys, 3 in the first and 3 in the second. He scored no eagle in any of the two rounds.
Finally Tom Watson lost the battle against the majestic and the powerful old course of St. Andrews. However he still has 5 more years to his luck and he is always welcomed in the world of golf. Tom Watson had his chances 5 times for keeping the Claret jug so it really does not matter if he failed this time.
Other than Tom Watson, many other big names missed cuts at the old course. Padraig Harrington, the Two-time Claret Jug winner, settled at 6 over after the rounds of 73 and 77.
2002 champion Ernie Els ended with 4 over, Ben Curtis and Todd Hamilton at 5 over. Although the game was suspended because of the bad weather, even then there was not much difference in the results. Was it the bad weather or the 17th road hole to h**l that is still yet to find out?
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