Tom Watson at the British Open

John K · Post by **John K** » Mon Jul 20, 2009 3:12 pm

Did I just miss it somehow, or has no one really posted anything yet about the Britsh Open? I felt really, really bad for Tom Watson. Man, it was there for the taking for him. He probably isn't quite ready yet to view it within the proper perspective, but there is absolutley no shame in an almost 60-year old guy coming within one 8-foot putt of winning a major, 34 years after winning his first one, and 26 years after his last. I know there are some sports fans out there (Alpha, are you listening????) who have the Ricky Bobby mindset, that "if you're not first, you're last", but there is no way that he should feel anything but an immense amount of pride from his performance over those four days.

GOKATS · Post by **GOKATS** » Mon Jul 20, 2009 3:26 pm

I watched and it was too bad, he played a great four days and could've won it in regulation on the 18th but for a putt. The playoff holes ate his lunch, especially #17. It would've been a storybook ending, but he can stand tall (and Cink was an extremely good sport about the way it all panned out). Congrats to both of them!

CPACAT · Post by **CPACAT** » Mon Jul 20, 2009 4:35 pm

Been awhile since the story wasn't about Tiger. I found it refreshing and good for the sport.

GOKATS · Post by **GOKATS** » Mon Jul 20, 2009 4:56 pm

It was a pretty brutal course, as I recall only one player played under par on Saturday (-1) and he wasn't anywhere near the lead.

Cledus · Post by **Cledus** » Mon Jul 20, 2009 8:28 pm

He just ran out of gas; his age caught up to him. His putting stroke was clearly different than on Thursday and Friday when he was making the putts. The big bounce on 18 was just part of the breaks of links golf, which he understands probably more than anybody. I feel fortunate to have watched the greatest links player ever.

And when he hit bad shots, it was nice to not have to watch the cursing and club slamming and slinging tantrums Tiger displays with no shame.

AlphaGriz1 · Post by **AlphaGriz1** » Tue Jul 21, 2009 12:18 am

John K wrote:Did I just miss it somehow, or has no one really posted anything yet about the Britsh Open? I felt really, really bad for Tom Watson. Man, it was there for the taking for him. He probably isn't quite ready yet to view it within the proper perspective, but there is absolutley no shame in an almost 60-year old guy coming within one 8-foot putt of winning a major, 34 years after winning his first one, and 26 years after his last. I know there are some sports fans out there (Alpha, are you listening????) who have the Ricky Bobby mindset, that "if you're not first, you're last", but there is no way that he should feel anything but an immense amount of pride from his performance over those four days.

Hauck would have made that putt.

I LOVED that Tiger missed the cut.

That is almost as good as MJ taking a dirt nap.................almost.

Old Skool Cat · Post by **Old Skool Cat** » Tue Jul 21, 2009 8:51 am

No doubt it was a thrill watching Watson compete with the young guns. He had the opportunity to win, and yes, that second shot into 18 in regulation play was a bad break, but the next two shots he (the return chip and then the par attempt putt) were two ugly shots. And Tom would be the first to admit it. Still, like everyone has said, there is absolutely no shame in not being able to put this one away.

Tom Watson at the British Open

Tom Watson at the British Open

Re: Tom Watson at the British Open

Re: Tom Watson at the British Open

Re: Tom Watson at the British Open

Re: Tom Watson at the British Open

Re: Tom Watson at the British Open

Re: Tom Watson at the British Open