Tom Watson

[RC]

You know, Tom Watson truly was and is amazing. Hip replacement only nine months ago and still that timeless swing and great game management. Watson always was a consummate player, and while I seriously doubt he will win the Open, it is amazing that a 59 year old can lead this grand event at the half way mark. Two huge putts today, but even without those, he would be playing impressively. What he is doing is historic.

I don't think he ever got quite enough recognition for his reliable swing, sneaky length, and all-round skills. Had he been a truly great putter, we might think of Watson as we do Nicklaus, possibly the greatest. I still consider him one of the top five of all time.

Sentimentally, I hope he can hang on to finish well -- what an inspiration!

[cbetofop]

I'm watching the Open with great interest. I hope Tom Watson goes on to win this. What a magnificent golfer and what a magnificent man in the way he conducts himself and calms others down.

A lesson for all of us

[pittpanther]

"The course was naked, and defenseless. You have to take advantage of it."

Not the most politically-correct phrasing, but he's 59 so we'll give him a pass! Nice two rounds.

[CG031]

It's pretty awesome. He used to be a better, as a matter of fact, like you mentioned, a great putter in his prime - it's actually the biggest part of his game that left him, and it may creep back under pressure on Sunday if he's still around for it...I really hope he is there on Sunday. Him and Sergio would be my dream final pairing on Sunday, that would be fun to watch - Sergio searching for his first major and Watson trying to prove the doubters wrong that he can still win one at 59!

[Amused]

I used to not like Watson so much because he seemed to be Jack's kryptonite (4 majors with Jack runner up), and I grew up like many, a big Nicklaus fan. But, I've always admired his game and fortitude.
Whether or not he continues this amazing performance, I've definitely been swayed into the Watson fan club....unless we find out his hip replacement was bionic!

[bogeyhitter25]

Screw the Champion's Tour! The PGA Tour needs another TW!

[RC]

I just saw he is about a month and a half from turning 60... wow. Again, I don't think he will win, but of two famous golfers who went to Stanford, Tom Watson is in the hunt and the other guy is not... who would ever have thought we would be saying that today? Do English bookies have bets at the mid-way mark? If so, there were probably some long odds on this story.

[Acropo]

  RC said:

Do English bookies have bets at the mid-way mark? If so, there were probably some long odds on this story.

Yes, they do (so do the Scots - the Open is being played in Scotland - the Welsh and Irish. In fact, all parts of the UK. And the Isle of Man and probably the Republic of Ireland, too!) but the odds have shortened on Watson today to less than 20/1. If it stays windy, he will have a chance - he is a great windy links player. Forecast for the weekend: not good. Showers and rain. Find yourself a British bookie!

[RocketSauce]

how freaking cool would it be if Tom wins this? i really hope he keeps it together for 2 more days.

[RC]

Oops, sorry about the whole Isles thing... I know better. I could barely understand my old co-workers from Scotland, and some of the Irish guys were also challenging to understand... at least by a guy from Texas.

I used to play with one of the assistant pros from Carnoustie, and his description of golf shots had little to do with how American's would describe or play their shots. I wish I could mimic his explanation of shots that caromed off berms and wound up by the hole.

I think Watson understands the links game as well as any of them, can handle the wind, and is beyond mental pressure, but it will likely come down to those almost 60 year old putting nerves. Also, if it turns cold, the body may get a touch creaky. When I passed sixty years old, the putts seemed to take some odd turns that never were there before, and that solid confidence with a tight lie sidehill pitch shot became a tad less dependable. The full shots were fine, but you know what I mean about those "touch" shots. Old guys know all too well what can go wrong.

Maybe Tom Watson will pull a Crenshaw-like thing in honor of Byron Nelson, the way Ben did for Harvey Pennick. That would be nice.

[Awsi Dooger]

  Amused said:

I used to not like Watson so much because he seemed to be Jack's kryptonite (4 majors with Jack runner up), and I grew up like many, a big Nicklaus fan. But, I've always admired his game and fortitude. !

Same here. I always rooted for Watson to be off the leaderboard because I knew he'd raise his game if it were head to head vs. Jack in a major. That was true of so many guys who Nicklaus had to face, like Trevino. Tiger has more raw ability than Jack but the aspect of clutch weekend efforts from other premier players is so radically different from that era to this one that Tiger's biggest boosters can't begin to fathom it.

I respect Watson tremendously. In my teens and 20s when my game was off I'd change my stance slightly and simplify my swing. I called it my Watson swing and it almost never let me down. Still, Watson can't win this week. I'll be surprised if he trails by fewer than 6 on Sunday night. Seniors don't put 4 rounds together in top company, let alone a senior player pushing 60. Chamblee is excellent but IMO he sometimes caves in to the sentimental story and fails to default to common sense. Tonight Chamblee said he thought Watson was a legit threat. I can't buy it, not unless he holes everything in sight.

[RocketSauce]

  Awsi Dooger said:

Same here. I always rooted for Watson to be off the leaderboard because I knew he'd raise his game if it were head to head vs. Jack in a major. That was true of so many guys who Nicklaus had to face, like Trevino. Tiger has more raw ability than Jack but the aspect of clutch weekend efforts from other premier players is so radically different from that era to this one that Tiger's biggest boosters can't begin to fathom it.

while i wish that wasnt true, i have to agree. i would LOVE to see Watson win this, but I just dont see it happening. how cool it would be though

[beachbreak]

Tom can win and it will be sweeeeeet!

[David in FL]

Any of those who don't think it's possible, want to re-think that after today?!

If he wins, it'll be the sports story of the century!

[onthehunt526]

I just gotta know if dear Watson wins... what are they gonna do about his exemption status... next year at St. Andrews would be his final Open even if he were to win... would the R and A give him some special kind of exemption... or change the exemption rules?

[BASHERBAKER69]

I really believe that Tom can win this tournament...if he shoots 70 tomorrow he will be very hard to beat! If John Daly, Cabrera and co get in the mix too it will be a very memorable day!

[bogeyhitter25]

1 shot lead into Sunday!

[onthehunt526]

If Tom executes and plays plotters golf tomorrow he will win... and he made some long putts today... incredible... its like 1977 all over ago...

the funny thing is half the guys that are chasing him we're even Born or were very young when he won at Turnberry in 1977. Its turn back the clock week at Turnberry...