The Best Is Yet To Come ……

Well it can’t have escaped everyone’s notice as to the exploits of Tom Watson in The Open (British), on the Ailsa Course , Turnberry Isle, in Scotland. The 59 year old American, a five time winner of the event , seeks to make Open history by becoming the oldest winner of a golf Grand Slam major event.

Tom Watson circa 1978 and 2009. Could the American be on the cusp of making history at The Open at Turnberry Isle ? picture appears courtesy of ap/photo/ Matthew Hall ..................

Over the course of the first three rounds the American has stunned everyone with his exmplorary and stunning play. And it brings back some have stated the play of another Open winner in Greg Norman . The Aussie , teetered with making history of his own in last year’s event. Going into the final round of play , Watson (-4) holds a one shot lead over Matthew Goggin and Ross Fisher , with Lee Westwood and Retief Goosen a further shot behind.

Watson plays out of a bunker on the 15th green during the third round of the 138th British Open at the Ailsa Course at Turnberry Isle , Scotland. picture appears courtesy of afp/getty images/ Peter Muhly .........................

Whilst many of are no doubt shocked by what Watson has achieved thus far. It cannot be any more surpring than the fact of Tiger Woods missing the cut for only the second time in a major, over the course of his professional career on the PGA Tour . Woods’ capitulation on the Ailsa Course can only be described as stunning in its magnitude. The prohibitive favorite for the event, he just never got his game going , when it mattered most. And it was clear that with him mistiming his swing and missing the fairways with his tee-shots. But most of all was the apparent waywardness of his putting. With nothing left to play for , the world’s number one player makes his way home Friday night , on his Gulfstream G-5.

A somber Tiger Woods for whom the 138th British Open proved to be a monumental disappointment and nightmare. Woods missed the cut and ended up tied for 74th place with an aggregate score of 145 (+ 5 over par) for the two rounds he completed. picture appears courtesy of ap/photo/ Jarvinder Singh .....................

The rest of the world now looks on and no doubt will be engrossed with the ensuing events that are about to unfold with Watson and the other players atop of the leaderboard. And though we might lament the fact that Woods won’t be present to have a say as to the final destination of this particular major championship. We can however bask in the achievements of Watson at this juncture. As his performance here has given a fresh lease on life. Well at least in performing in a regular event on the PGA Tour.

Tom Watson speaks to members of the convened press after his third (70 , -1 under par) round at the British Open , being held on the Ailsa Course , Turnberry Isle in Scotland. picture appears courtesy of ap/photo / Ralph Porter ..........

And for Watson who’s now a regular on The Champions Tour , for players of the PGA Tour aged 50 years and older. This has been something of a revelation to see a player whose name has become synonymous with The Open. Having won the event 5 times and in a career that includes 8 Grand Slam major wins. Watson now seeks to win an unprecedented sixth British Open. In doing so he would tie the late Harry Vardon , for the number of wins in the event. While the player’s career has been littered with a great many highs. One remembers also the legendary ‘Duel in the Sun’, at the 1977 British Open . Wherein he and Jack Nicklaus matched each other , stroke for stroke, down the final stretch of holes on the Ailsa Course at Turnberry. It has been often described as the greatest final round of golf ever played by a duo, in a Grand Slam major. And those who witnessed the event itself can lay claim that they were not disappointed at all. On that day Watson would prevail in defeating Nicklaus.

Watson acknowledges the applause of the grandstand crowd as he finishes his third round at The Open. picture appears courtesy of ap/photo/ Alastair Grant .....................

Now comes the hard part for Watson as he seeks to maintain the momentum over the final eighteen holes of play. If he plays all too conservatively, he risks the chance that another player will supplant him atop of the leaderboard. Whereas if he’s cavalier somewhat, in his play , he can either increase his lead and merely wait to see what his fellow competitors are able to do.
If nothing else this Sunday afternoon , we’ll either see history in the making. Or we may well see another first time winner of Grand Slam major event this year.

Watson and Nicklaus at Turnberry Isle at The Open in 1977. Watson would prevail over The Golden Bear at the event. picture appears courtesy of dailytelegraph.uk.co/sports/ Michael Wilson .....copyrighted material @ All rights reserved ....................

The chances are , it will all come down to experience. Other than Watson , amongst the leaders . Only Retief Goosen , Jim Furyk and Vijay Singh are winners of a major, who’ve the experience needed to eke out a victory under such a given set of circumstances. All three individuals are within three shots of the lead . And are quite capable of taking advantage of a mistake that might be made by Watson , Goggin, Westwood or Fisher , who seek to chase down the leader.

Claret Jug awarded to the winner of The Open. It is golf's most prestigious award and most respected by the players of the PGA and European Tour. picture appears courtesy of ap/ photo/ Brian Mitchell ......................

The excitement that appears to be building up to a crescendo , were Watson to win and raise the Claret Jug. It would spell the fact that indeed the best was yet to come. Albeit , that without Woods being part of the spectacle we would normally see as the culmination of a major that he’s so often become a part of. It has to be said that the sport of golf has its thrills , suspense and intrigue.

And for us that drama will unfold over the final eighteen holes and thus far the event has been an invigorating sporting spectacle. I’ll applaud Watson should he prevail and raise the Claret Jug .
As it’s the true mark of a champion to be able to compete at this late a stage, in an already remarkable and successful career.

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