Similar themes are permeating throughout the sports world recently. After last week’s discourse on the incredulity surrounding Lance Armstrong’s comeback in the Tour de France, sports fans have been treated to another old lion attempting to recapture past glory in Tom Watson’s march to the top of the leaderboard in the British Open (or Open Championship for all you insufferably pretentious Brits).I consider myself to be a student of golf history, but I am embarrassed to admit that, until this week, I was not that familiar with the career of Mr. Watson. I think this is due in large part to the fact he played the majority of his career in Jack Nicklaus’ shadow (I think Phil Mickelson will share a similar historical fate due to his time in the Tiger Woods era).
After a quick perusal of the most reputable source on the Web (Wikipedia), I would like to take this opportunity to apologize to Tom Watson. The guy had an incredible career: 39 PGA Tour victories, 6 Player of the Year awards and 8 major championships, including a phenomenal 5 British Opens.
His most memorable victory came at the 1977 British Open, which coincidentally also took place at Turnberry, in a classic confrontation with Jack Nicklaus that came to be known as the Duel in the Sun (that sounds like an Antonio Banderas/Selma Hayek straight to DVD release).
They were lovers on the run from the law. Their crime: Passion. With a heat hot enough to melt ice. Sex, sweat and salsa dancing. Banderas, Hayek and Steve Buscemi star in Duel in the Sun.
I’m pretty sure I would rent that movie; I gave myself an erection just writing that tagline.
Back to Turnberry 1977: after two rounds and identical scores, Watson and Nicklaus were paired for the third round one shot off the lead. After a pair of 65s, Tom and Jack found themselves alone at the top in the hunt for the title.
What followed was probably the greatest final round in major championship history as both guys came out swinging. After 16 holes, both legends were tied: ten shots clear of the rest of the field. Watson birdied 17, Nicklaus sank a 50 foot bomb for birdie on 18, but Watson followed with his second birdie in a row for the win and his second Claret Jug.
Watson shot 65 on Sunday and Nicklaus shot 66. Can you imagine that final round taking place in today’s 24 hour sports news cycle? My God, all those creaky, old school golf writers would have heart attacks from the excitement and Johnny Miller would have an orgasm live on air.
During his prime, Watson’s playing style was described thusly: he had abundant length coupled with sufficient accuracy, played aggressively, developed a superlative short game, and was skilled and confident with the flat stick.
That also accurately describes my bedroom performance.
Yesterday, Watson was able to give Father Time a swift kick in the groin with a virtuoso 65 that left him one shot out of the lead at the age of 59. Can you believe that? I hope I’m still above ground at that age and Tom Watson is in contention for a major title.
Most pundits believe that Watson is just a feel good story and he can’t possibly keep up his stellar play. However, his game is suited to links golf and he has more Open Championship experience than anyone else in the field, so look for Tom to acclimate nicely once the nastiness of Mother Nature rears her ugly head and turns Turnberry into a battle of attrition.
Not only is Watson a great golfer but he is also the consummate professional. I love how he’s paired with Sergio for the first two days; there’s such a great juxtaposition between the two. Sergio gets all huffy and bitchy if someones farts within a 200 yard radius of him on a golf course. The guy is a basket case and always blames external influences for his poor play instead of looking inward. Probably the biggest reason why he has yet to win a major. That and he can’t putt worth shit.
Contrast that demeanour with the calm, even-keeled approach of Tommy Watson. He never gets down on himself, always keeps plugging away and doesn’t let bad luck or poor shots affect the rest of his round.
Case in point: Watson’s second round. He bogeyed four holes in a row at one point, clawed all the way back and capped off his day with a bomb from the fringe to go into the weekend tied for the lead and looking for his sixth British Open title.
Here’s hoping Watson can continue on this magical run and become the oldest winner in major championship history.
Tewks is a frequent contributor to Gretzpo’s Sports Blog.
I’m pretty sure I would rent that movie; I gave myself an erection just writing that tagline.
Back to Turnberry 1977: after two rounds and identical scores, Watson and Nicklaus were paired for the third round one shot off the lead. After a pair of 65s, Tom and Jack found themselves alone at the top in the hunt for the title.
What followed was probably the greatest final round in major championship history as both guys came out swinging. After 16 holes, both legends were tied: ten shots clear of the rest of the field. Watson birdied 17, Nicklaus sank a 50 foot bomb for birdie on 18, but Watson followed with his second birdie in a row for the win and his second Claret Jug.
Watson shot 65 on Sunday and Nicklaus shot 66. Can you imagine that final round taking place in today’s 24 hour sports news cycle? My God, all those creaky, old school golf writers would have heart attacks from the excitement and Johnny Miller would have an orgasm live on air.
During his prime, Watson’s playing style was described thusly: he had abundant length coupled with sufficient accuracy, played aggressively, developed a superlative short game, and was skilled and confident with the flat stick.
That also accurately describes my bedroom performance.
Yesterday, Watson was able to give Father Time a swift kick in the groin with a virtuoso 65 that left him one shot out of the lead at the age of 59. Can you believe that? I hope I’m still above ground at that age and Tom Watson is in contention for a major title.
Most pundits believe that Watson is just a feel good story and he can’t possibly keep up his stellar play. However, his game is suited to links golf and he has more Open Championship experience than anyone else in the field, so look for Tom to acclimate nicely once the nastiness of Mother Nature rears her ugly head and turns Turnberry into a battle of attrition.
Not only is Watson a great golfer but he is also the consummate professional. I love how he’s paired with Sergio for the first two days; there’s such a great juxtaposition between the two. Sergio gets all huffy and bitchy if someones farts within a 200 yard radius of him on a golf course. The guy is a basket case and always blames external influences for his poor play instead of looking inward. Probably the biggest reason why he has yet to win a major. That and he can’t putt worth shit.
Contrast that demeanour with the calm, even-keeled approach of Tommy Watson. He never gets down on himself, always keeps plugging away and doesn’t let bad luck or poor shots affect the rest of his round.
Case in point: Watson’s second round. He bogeyed four holes in a row at one point, clawed all the way back and capped off his day with a bomb from the fringe to go into the weekend tied for the lead and looking for his sixth British Open title.
Here’s hoping Watson can continue on this magical run and become the oldest winner in major championship history.
Tewks is a frequent contributor to Gretzpo’s Sports Blog.
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