The great Tom Watson
Posted by: Mabelode, King of Swords on 20 July 2009
Incredible that Tom Watson nearly won The Open at the age of 59 after a hip replacement no less. I've always admired his powerful compact swing and tremendous acceleration through the ball. His chip in to take the lead at Pebble Beach I thought was the greatest shot under pressure. A great shame the fairy tale didn't come true at Turnberry.
Posted on: 20 July 2009 by BigH47
After listening to the commentary, I feel so blessed at still being able to walk unassisted at 62, TV made it sound as if Watson was Methuselah.
Shows why golf tournaments are 72 holes , the way several players faltered and one played steadily through.
Shows why golf tournaments are 72 holes , the way several players faltered and one played steadily through.
Posted on: 20 July 2009 by Mike-B
AGREED, the commentary repeating time after time that Tom is a 59 year old was really irksome. It left me - at 65 - looking around for a new Zimmer frame or even worse a plot in the local bone yard. But the biggest shock was that my wife is actually older than Tom Watson and unbelievably still able to walk. It’s amazing what they can do these days.
Whilst secretly hoping Tom might do it, but I am a golfing realist and was surprised his wheels did not fall off earlier. In the end I was really fed up (that’s polite for pissed off) 'cos another yank won it (again) Lee Westwood especially must be kicking himself, but hopefully all the stronger for it.
Must go, my wife & I – with 66 & 68 year old friends - have a 3.30 tee time and are looking forward to todays 18 holes (unassisted) good walk & banter, and the other 2 rounds planned for later this week.
And BBC please note, not a creek, Zimmer frame or bottle of horse liniment anywhere.
Whilst secretly hoping Tom might do it, but I am a golfing realist and was surprised his wheels did not fall off earlier. In the end I was really fed up (that’s polite for pissed off) 'cos another yank won it (again) Lee Westwood especially must be kicking himself, but hopefully all the stronger for it.
Must go, my wife & I – with 66 & 68 year old friends - have a 3.30 tee time and are looking forward to todays 18 holes (unassisted) good walk & banter, and the other 2 rounds planned for later this week.
And BBC please note, not a creek, Zimmer frame or bottle of horse liniment anywhere.
Posted on: 20 July 2009 by Bruce Woodhouse
Well said guys!
59 years of age is not old, in any definition.
Just to remind us all, the retirement age is 65 in the UK. Mr Watson in another life could still be working down a coal mine, on a building site or at the factory. Talent, endurance and concentration do not normally dwindle to zero over 25 years of age!
Perhaps the game of golf should take a little credit for remaining accessible to older players at the highest level.
Bruce
59 years of age is not old, in any definition.
Just to remind us all, the retirement age is 65 in the UK. Mr Watson in another life could still be working down a coal mine, on a building site or at the factory. Talent, endurance and concentration do not normally dwindle to zero over 25 years of age!
Perhaps the game of golf should take a little credit for remaining accessible to older players at the highest level.
Bruce
Posted on: 20 July 2009 by Lontano
This week I have been thoroughly entertained by two 59 year olds. Firstly Mr Springsteen jumping round a Glasgow stage like a lunatic for three solid hours, sweat pouring off him. More energy and life in him than most twenty year olds. Just phenomenal what he does. And then yesterday a very pleasant afternoon sat watching the golf with Tom Watson bringing back memories of the late seventies and eighties. I was very disappointed that he came so close but did not win. However, it was still a fantastic achievement all the same and I loved it. I bet Jack N was watching with a big smile on his face.
Posted on: 21 July 2009 by MilesSmiles
Guys, while I do understand the sentiment around age - the point is that the oldest major winner in golf history was 48 at the time (and that happend in 1968). Watson would have upped that by a full 11 years. It would have been an incredible achievement, even coming so close is in my book amazing but it might take a while before Tom will see it this way.
Posted on: 21 July 2009 by Officer DBL
Did anyone else pick up the comment during the weekend coverage of the Open that the R&A has decided to reduce the upper age limit for senior golfers with automatic invites from 65 to 60? The reasoning is that the older generation have little real chance of winning and the way should be opened for those with far less years.
I have always thought that one of the delights of the Open was the chance to see the senior players in action - even if their chances of winning were slim.
I have always thought that one of the delights of the Open was the chance to see the senior players in action - even if their chances of winning were slim.
Posted on: 21 July 2009 by Exiled Highlander
Brad
I think the Tom Watson (near) fairytale this year was a fluke situation. That said the R&A are (quite rightly) going to revisit the age limit and will likely raise it back to 65.
Whatever the outcome it was a great storyline.
Jim
It depends if you want to turn The Open into a quasi seniors event or the place where the best golfers in the world come to compete.quote:I have always thought that one of the delights of the Open was the chance to see the senior players in action - even if their chances of winning were slim.
I think the Tom Watson (near) fairytale this year was a fluke situation. That said the R&A are (quite rightly) going to revisit the age limit and will likely raise it back to 65.
Whatever the outcome it was a great storyline.
Jim