Tom Watson ready to compete in The Open Championship
Tom Watson is all set to return to the Royal St. George's Golf Club in Sandwich, Kent, England, where this season’s Open Championship will kick off on Thursday, July 14.
Despite being well over his peak years, at 61, and knowing the treacherous pars of the course, Watson is ready to compete in the third major of the season for the 34th time in his career. The eight-major winner has five Open Championship titles
under his belt, making this one of his favourite events. And once again, the former world number one is confident that he can put up a determined fight for the title.
Speaking in a press conference on Tuesday, Watson said, “I don't see why it's not feasible for a 50-something to win this week.”
Two years back, the veteran finished as runner-up after dropping a shot at the last green. Had he not dropped the shot, the American would have earned himself a record of being the oldest golfer alive to win the Open Championship. Watson was 59 years old
back then.
Watson missed the cut last year at the Open, when the event was staged at St. Andrews. He bid farewell to his fans amidst tears as he walked towards the clubhouse, but the fans gave him a warm farewell with applause and cheers from all corners of the course.
Shedding light on this year’s selection of the course, the Champions Tour member said that he presumed the new setup would benefit older players.
“Links courses are great equalizers. You do not have to pound the ball or hit the ball particularly long although they have added length to many of the holes here. There are two 240-yard par-threes at the third and 11th where length is definitely an advantage.
However, I am here to contend, without a doubt. I may have some problems with those two par-threes but if I'm playing well I can compete on this course,” he added.
Watson is old and battered, but he still has the magic in his club and more importantly, years of experience that he can always fall back on. Judging by the veteran’s statement, it also seems that he is high on confidence too, something which always comes
in handy in testing situations.
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