Can Tom Watson overcome mental pressures at Open?
It’s been 26 years since Tom Watson’s last victory, but he is trying again this week at the British Open. Can the 60-year-old summon the mental strength to overcome the odds for another sweep at the famous Championship?
America’s greatest links champion is defying age and preparing for another shot at an Open title. His game isn’t where it used to be 12 months ago and right now Watson’s biggest stumbling block is his iron play, which is shaky and unreliable:
“Ask me Wednesday,” Watson said to questions about how he will do in this competition, “I don’t have my arsenal firing right now. My iron play is sketchy right now. I’ve got to see if I can get it homed down.”
Watson still has two days to get his game airtight before he plays in his seventh Open at St Andrews. A veteran of the course though he has never won on it, Watson came close in 1984 when he tied for second with Seve Ballesteros after a closing round of 73.
Watson was one of the leading golf players in the 1970’s and 80’s. He won eight major championships – five Open Championships, two Masters titles, and one U.S Open – and was McCormack’s World Golf Rankings No. 1 from 1978-1982. His greatest accomplishment was replacing Jack Nicklaus as number one in the 1977 Open Championship and 1982 US Open.
However, in the present day there are a lot of factors discouraging Watson. He hasn’t won a tournament in 26 years, coming close in the 2009 Open Championship but finishing in second place. He missed the chance to make history in 2009 at Turnberry, and is up against younger ambitious golfers at St Andrews.
Watson loves the challenge the links pose to the game of golf and its players. He weathered the 50 mph winds whipping off the sea in practice rounds with practice partners Ben Crane and Brian g*y, enjoying the challenge of playing under the rough conditions:
“I still love to put my game to the test here. It’s a wonderful test of golf . . . St. Andrews is a place where people are just happy. They're just happy to be here. The fans, the players, everyone. It's a place that people truly enjoy."
Crane and g*y took full advantage of playing with Watson, observing his style and picking his brain for advice. g*y was thrilled to be practising with Watson, and is playing for the first time on the St Andrews course. The experience is exciting but a little nerve-racking, he admits.
“This was my first go-round out here. It's pretty overwhelming. There's so much to try to figure out there. It just seems you can't play it enough times."
Watson is a darling of media attention and a player to watch not only because of his legendary golf history, but also because he has come so close to winning in the past couple of years. His determination for victory at his age is remarkable, and his presence on the course will be held in high regards, even if he doesn't make it in the final standings.
Watson has come close on several recent occasions to grabbing a title, but has fallen short every time. He lost to Stewart Clark last year at Turnberry after missing an eight-foot par putt on the 72nd hole. Had he made the shot Watson could have been the oldest major champion in golf history.
Watson doesn’t let his past failures impede his present challenges. “There’s no regret at all,” he said of losing at Turnberry, a victory that “would’ve made a great story.” Watson has a lot to overcome if he wants a victory. He has to correct his own inadequacies, and play better than the younger and glory-hungry golfers.
Perhaps it is too dreamy to think Watson has another shot at the Open. There is no doubt that he can compete on the old course; it comes down to his mental strength. Jack Nicklaus Jr, son of golf legend Jack Nicklaus, was at Turnberry and witnessed the mental stress Watson endured:
“As he got older he had the physical ability but he couldn't concentrate for four rounds. It takes a toll on your mental energy. We all wanted Tom to win so bad last year. We were all cheering. I talked to Tom about it. He looked spent on the 72nd green. He had geared his mind to that number of holes.”
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