[y66]

Tom Watson shot 65 today and is currently tied for the lead at the Open. He seems to have a thing for shooting 65s at Turnberry. Go Tom!

Full coverage here.

[Phil]

Watson got early and posted a low #. See if he can do what Norman did last year, but I really doubt it.

Tiger is playing awful.

[y66]

BTW, if you enjoy golf and radio, check out the live radio broadcast at the Open website. This is sports broadcasting at its very best.

[y66]

Watson just birdied 18, his 5th of the day after a rough start, to tie for the lead after 36.

The crowd is on its feet. What a putt! The guy can still play!

[y66]

From Larry Dorman's column this morning:

Quote

TURNBERRY, Scotland — For just a moment on Saturday, this whole dream vision of Tom Watson, 59 years old and leading the 138th British Open, seemed to have caught up to him — just as his young pursuers had.

But as he did the day before, and as he had done so often in days gone by, Watson resolutely refused to go away. He holed an 18-footer for par at the 14th hole; he erased a bogey at the 15th with a 40-foot birdie putt at the 16th. And when his second shot at the 17th hole was bound for the right side gorse, it bounced off the golf gods, took a turn to the left and rolled on to the green.

Watson made another birdie at the 17th and a par at the 18th to conclude a hard-fought round of 71 for a four-under 206 total and a one-stroke lead over Mathew Goggin of Australia, who shot 69, and the Englishman Ross Fisher, who shot 70.

Watson set up what could be the most memorable final round in the history of the game. The road to the claret jug will go through Tom Watson. And an army will be arrayed against him.

An army plus a lifetime of demons to do battle with. This is golf's High Noon.

[Phil]

It's 11:55 now. GO TOM.

[Al_U_Card]

71 1/4 holes of great golf....

[y66]

Wow. That was one for the ages. Heartbreaking at the end but what a thrill, what an amazing week and what an achievement by Watson to play so well for 72 holes. Nice putt there by Cink to set up the playoff and well played to win.

[Gerben42]

Any of you play golf? What do you think about it?

[matmat]

Gerben42, on Jul 19 2009, 02:18 PM, said:

Any of you play golf? What do you think about it?

i play frisbee golf, does that count?

[Lobowolf]

matmat, on Jul 19 2009, 02:34 PM, said:

Gerben42, on Jul 19 2009, 02:18 PM, said:

Any of you play golf? What do you think about it?

i play frisbee golf, does that count?

Me too.

Have you played La Mirada?

[PassedOut]

I like to play golf, and thought that Watson had a good chance in the playoff when Cink hit his second shot into that deep Scottish bunker. But then Watson hit his second shot into an even worse hole, with no chance to get it close to the pin. After that it was all downhill for him.

I should say, though, that I don't really like to play in 20+mph winds. I have enough trouble when the air is calm. I truly admire the skill of players who can score well under those conditions.

[y66]

Gerben42, on Jul 19 2009, 02:18 PM, said:

Any of you play golf? What do you think about it?

I grew up playing with my dad and my 2 brothers. My dad was probably the best golfer I've ever played with and easily the most competitive golfer I've ever known, in the best sense of that word. The guy is fearless. He stopped playing a few years ago due to knee problems. I really miss spending time with him out there.

I enjoy the competition and the easy camaraderie on the golf course. When you're out there, everyone is basically a fellow golfer, just like bridge. Of course, there are always a few exceptions.

This summer I've played once a week or so with my brother-in-law and his 2 boys. It's been a lot of fun playing with those guys, watching them improve and having a lot of good times together.

The most fun I ever had on a golf course was with my wife (non golfer) and my dog along for the walk. It was early spring and we practically had the course to ourselves. I still remember some of the shots I hit that day which was probably 8 years ago or so.

I've played on a lot of different courses, including the site of today's championship. But my favorite place to play is the local public course which is right on the river. The conditions aren't great but there's often some wind coming off the water which makes the game more challenging. Today my nephew spotted an osprey (fish hawk) in flight with a fish in tow. You'd be surprised how much wildlife you come into contact with on golf courses. Have you ever seen a wild pig? Or a golden eagle snatching a fish out of a lake?

A big problem a lot of people have with golf is how much time it takes to play a round. It's often 5+ hours plus travel time plus warm-up time which is ridiculous and impossible for most young people with jobs and a family. I usually play early in the day, when I can often get around in under 4 hours, or I just play 9 or 12 holes.

I love golf. It's a great game. Try it!

[Phil]

Gerben42, on Jul 19 2009, 02:18 PM, said:

Any of you play golf? What do you think about it?

Golf is a great game (sport, whatever), but unless you are naturally talented, it can be a bitch when you start out, especially if you don't start out young (under 25 IMO). Like bridge, that can be a lot of the allure.

I've played since I was 12 and my initial career ambition was to become a golf course architect. Played on my high school team and belonged to a club twice over the last 20 years. During my bridge hiatus ('90 - '99), I played a LOT. I got down to a 6.0 index (roughly speaking, usually between 78 - 82 for 18 holes). My personal best is -2 (70).

Our son is a friggin stick. He has a 1.2 index and his best is 67. Hits his driver as far as an average tour pro, and generally outclubs them.

It is cerebral like bridge, and when I teach bridge, and can relate a lot of the same concepts to teaching golf.

[Al_U_Card]

It has the one big draw and that is: instant gratification. Like a drug, when you hit that perfect drive or sink that putt (in my case, ANY putt) you get a full-on rush.

Like Phil says, it is not a "natural" action so that lessons from a pro when you begin are a must. Practice like crazy and anger-management classes are usually helpful. Got my handicap down to a 6 when I played regularly before kids and back problems.

Like bridge, when you are on the course, real life (and especially it's woes) fade away and you get lost in the moment.

Marginally better for your health than bridge, you just have to stay away from carts and the 19th hole....lol

[helene_t]

Gerben42, on Jul 19 2009, 08:18 PM, said:

Any of you play golf? What do you think about it?

I think it sucks but I can imagine it is fun for those who can actually play it.

[pigpenz]

its like bridge it can be addictive or be your nemesis.
The beauty of a properly played fade or draw is just a rewarding as a double squeeze.

The main difference is in golf you are usually competing against the course and have no one else to blame but yourself