Tom Watson makes a hole-in-one and cut in the Open Championship
Tom Watson thrilled his fans on Friday by mapping a hole-in-one and making a cut in the 140th edition of The Open Championship. The third major, carrying a purse of $7.3-million, is taking place at the par-70 Royal St George’s Golf Club in Kent,
England.
The 61-year-old Champions Tour player started the day from the front nine and made his way to the par-3, 6th hole. Making a thorough analysis of the layout, he asked his caddie to pass him the 4-iron. The five-time Open Championship winner struck
the ball with his club and watched it plunge 160 yards to hit the green in regulation. The ball bounced once near the flag and rolled into the cup for the sole hole-in-one of the day.
This shot dragged Watson’s score out of the danger zone into safer realms of par. He birdied the immediate hole and settled for a score of three-under par.
On his way to the back, the 8-major winner clamped two birdies against four bogeys and wrapped the day at par. His overall aggregate of 142 strokes helped him make the cut and join the pack of successful golfers on the other side of the line.
Watson is the oldest player in the Open field, but he is certainly not the oldest to make a stroke like that in the tournament’s history. In 1973, Gene Sarazen aced the Postage Stamp at Troon, with a 5-iron, when he was 71.
Being four strokes away from the leaders, the 61-year-old believes that he still has a chance on victory. He spoke his mind, while talking to the press on Friday.
“Well, I guess I refuse to be a ceremonial player, and until that time comes, then I'll hang them up,” said Watson, who was a little disappointed with his putting and his driving accuracy.
“But I still am disappointed about the three three-putts I had today. I three-putted -- they were long three-putted, but my distance control was not very good,” he added.
Watson missed the cut last year at St Andrews, but this season, he is part of the field and if conditions turn out to be favourable, then he will certainly earn himself another record.
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