Open 2009: Watson savours another day in the sun

Published on Thursday 16 July 2009 22:45

TWO months shy of his 60th birthday, Tom Watson was driven by memory and inspired by the beauty of the surroundings to enjoy another day in the sun when he carded 65 in the 138th Open Championship over the Ailsa.

The winner of the "Duel in the Sun" as long ago as 1977, the five-time Open champion trails Miguel Angel Jimenez, a mere stripling of 45, by a stroke thanks to a first round which contained no shots dropped to par and five birdies.

On the same five-under-par mark as fellow American Ben Curtis, one behind the pace- setting Spaniard, Watson isn't sure whether or not he'll be able to sustain yesterday's early momentum but remains hopeful the energising impact of shooting 65 will prove beneficial.

"I have a real zip and 65 is the way to start it," insisted the oldest man in the field. "Will I be able to handle the pressure? I don't know. Whether I'm in the hunt, who knows. The light switch may go on and I may play without too much pressure. Or the pressure may be too much to handle. But I've been there before.

"How am I going to do in the next three rounds? Well, I don't know. I don't have a clue what I'm going to do. I wish I could tell you that I'm going to break the Open record and shoot 262, but we'll just see where it comes to."

According to Andrew Coltart, who is working as an on-course analyst for radio this week, Watson's flawless display was "awesome". The veteran himself believes "experience wins" and knows shotmaking is no barrier to success here either. The 7-iron which bounded onto the last green, running and skipping along the turf to set up another birdie chance, was the work of a master.

Jimenez, who was third at Lytham in 2001, also enjoys the challenge of the links. He finished with successive birdies to post his best start in a major, 64. "You couldn't ask for a better day to play golf," he said. "The way I hit the ball from tee to green was very good and I also had a nice day with the putter."

As well as holing an enormous putt on the 18th, the Spaniard was economical with the blade on the front nine, where he reeled off four birdies and reached the turn in 31. "I like links golf because you need a game plan and you have to use your mind," he added. "Experience is important. It was nice to see Tom Watson up there too."

Like Watson, who won the Open at the first time of asking in 1975, Curtis also lifted the Claret Jug on his debut in 2003. It's a special distinction shared by only ten golfers since Willie Park won at Prestwick in 1860.

After recovering from the disappointment of three successive missed cuts in the oldest major, the American took encouragement from top ten finishes in his two previous appearances. Thanks to an eagle 3 at the seventh as well as four birdies on the back nine, Curtis was able to match Watson. He reckons he's more at ease on a links today than he was when he first pitched up at Royal St George's six years ago.

Conditions remained benign and Kenichi Kuboya, the Japanese player, produced a thrilling bird, birdie, eagle, birdie finish to match the mark of 65 already posted by Watson and Curtis. The 47-year-old's five under tally for the last four holes was exceptional by any standard. He's played in the Open once before, at Muirfield seven years ago, when he finished in a tie for 59th.

On a becalmed day, mild and inviting, Watson described the links as defenceless. It was a boon for the seasoned pros, not only the five-time Open champion at the age of 59 but also former winners Mark O'Meara, 52, and Mark Calcavecchia, 49, who found themselves on the leaderboard. There were moments when it felt as if the Tardis had landed on the Ailsa and whisked the championship back to the Eighties.

In front of 23,500 spectators – up by 3,500 on the first day here in 1994 – scoring was low and expectations for most of the competitors were high. Oddly, the one man who fell short of the mark was world No 1 Tiger Woods. His 71 was littered with mistakes which mostly drifted right. It was a technical issue that took him back to the range for extra remedial work. Tiger isn't out if it, but he needs to attack today to make up ground.

The best placed British golfers striving to end a lean spell and emulate Paul Lawrie's success in 1999 were Lee Westwood, David Howell and Paul Casey who all signed for 69, two under.

The shot of the first round came from Retief Goosen who escaped from a greenside bunker at the 17th with one leg in the trap, one out, and his ball hard up against the face. It was sorcery to get the ball out of the sand, never mind land it a couple of feet from the cup and hole the birdie putt. He duly signed for 67 and is among a group on three under par.

The seventh reserve as recently as last week, Australia's John Senden, one of six men lying two shots off the lead, was dreaming of emulating John Daly at Crooked Stick in 1991 when he won the US PGA as the ninth alternate. His error free round of 66 was a good place to start.

Daly, who carded 68, was also dreaming of past triumphs.As he frolicked round the Ailsa in a lime shirt and green harlequin trousers, Daly posted his lowest opening round in the Open since he won in 1995 at St Andrews.

Defending champion Padraig Harrington's quest to win a third successive championship began with a 69.

On the home front, there was more name calling from Sandy Lyle, who branded Colin Montgomerie a bit of a drama queen. After suggesting his compatriot was guilty of a form of cheating in Indonesia, Lyle wants to sit down with Monty and mend fences over a pint. Neither Lyle's 75 nor Montgomerie's 71 was ever likely to deflect attention from this feud.

Leaderboard

Gbr & Ire unless stated, par 70

64 M A Jimenez (Spa)

65 T Watson (US), B Curtis (US), K Kuboya (Jpn)

66 J Senden (Aus), S Stricker (USA), C Villegas (Col), S Cink (US), M Goggin (Aus)

Selected others

67 V Singh (Fij)

68 L Westwood

70 A Scott (Aus), S Garcia (Spa)

71 T Woods (US), C Montgomerie

THE OPEN ON SCOTSMAN.COM

For the latest news, scores, pictures and video from Turnberry, visit our Open 2009 mini-site.