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Posts Tagged ‘Tom Watson’

The view of the 18th hole at St. Andrews could be yours in time for the 2010 Open.

Tuesday, September 22nd, 2009

According to an article in the UK’s Daily Telegraph it is now possible for anyone, or at least anyone with about $6M to spare, to buy a view of St. Andrews.

No. 9 The Links in St. Andrews, Scotland, is one of only four houses with the prestigious The Links as an address. This particular house has one of the most sought-after viewing terraces for golf fans around the world. In addition to overlooking the most famous golf course in the world it is said to have a view North Sands Beach, which was made famous in the movie Chariots of Fire.

The house is on the market through Savills, one of the leading names in UK residential real estate, just in time for somebody to make a bid and move in by next July, when the Open Championship will be held there.
Tom Watson, who played incredibly well at this year’s Open at Turnberry has said the 2010 event will in all likelihood be his last. Tiger Woods will going for three Open St Andrews victories after winning the last two in 2000 and 2005.

According to the house listing specs there are 2,779 square feet in this three-story, five-bedroom, four-bathroom house. It’s being described as a second-home type of property, being 50 miles from Edinburgh, but there’s golf played every day, not just for the Open (the oldest of the four major championships in the world) but for many other tournaments as well.

So although $6M doesn’t guarantee a better golf game, it certainly could get you some great golf views.

Written by Michele Minten

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Posted in Fun Golf Stories | 1 Comment »

In winning the British Open Stewart Cink becomes the foil to another feel good story….

Wednesday, July 22nd, 2009

Another Major, another feel good story blown. That’s what the prevailing theme is in men’s golf 2009. Let’s look at what has happened this year:

The Masters: Kenny Perry has a two shot lead which would make him the oldest major winner at the time and give him his first ever major win. What happens? He loses to Angel Cabrera after blowing his lead in the 16th.

The U.S. Open: Phil Mickelson almost wins one for his wife Amy who made it clear she would love a trophy for her hospital room. He loses to Lucas Glover after a rough 17th hole.

The British Open: In what I consider to be the biggest heartbreak of the year, 59 year old Tom Watson misses a putt on the last hole to lose to Stewart Cink. This makes Cink, by all accounts one of the nicest guys in golf, the villain in what should have been a feel good story.

What I find interesting in all of this is that in any other situation I would have been cheering for Cabrera or Glover and certainly for Cink but I found myself actively rooting against decent guys and great golfers because I, along with thousands of other fans, wanted that fairy tale ending.

It will be interesting to see what happens at the PGA Championship in August; will the heartbreak trend continue?

Post by Michele Minten

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Posted in PGA | 3 Comments »

Cink Wins British Open – Watson is Deflated!

Sunday, July 19th, 2009

After 4 days of amazing golf from the leading actor of the Briish Open, Tom Watson, the 72nd hole changed the entire story. Watson had the lead by one stroke going to the 18th hole in the final round. His second shot hit the center of the green, but rolled off to the fringe. Choosing to putt from the collar, Watson edged his ball 8 feet past the hole. The 8 foot putt was all that separated Watson and the Claret jug…but seems the nerves got the best of the steady hand of Watson as he missed his par putt and finished with a bogey and tied at 2 under with Stewart Cink for a 4-hole playoff.

Watson was not able to shake-off the shock of missing his putt and ended up failing to be a match to Stewart Cink in the playoff. Cink out played Watson by 6 strokes. What an upset for one of the most memorable British Opens in years. No one is sure if Watson saw Cink coming from behind. The clincher for Cink was his 12-foot birdie putt on his 72nd hole and playing 2 under during the playoff. Congratulations, Stewart, on the Claret jug and your first major!

And to Tom…your performance was remarkable…thanks for showing us how golf lives on over the years, thanks for helping us relive the memories of 32 years ago, thanks for the great golf, and thanks for your great sportsmanship and showing us the character of a true gentleman! You are a true champion in our eyes!

Posted by Marilyn Harris

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Tom Watson Leads the Way

Saturday, July 18th, 2009

After playing the last three holes of round three of the British Open at 5 under with birdie, birdie, par, Tom Watson has maintained his lead with 4 under. He’s the sole leader as the British Open moves to its final round on Sunday at Turnberry, Scotland. Tom finished strong with a long birdie putt on the 16th, a birdie on 17 with a slight miss on his 20-foot eagle attempt on the par 5 to move him to the lead by one stroke over Matthew Goggin and Ross Fisher. Tom finished with a par after another near miss long birdie putt.

Today’s round was steady but an “unusual day” according to Watson. When asked what he attributes his three day success to, Watson answers with “making putts when I have to.” Tom’s perspective about his day when asked how he managed his emotion…”very serene day out there….not as nervous as I thought I’d be. I felt different…this place is spiritual….there’s more to it than the humanity of the place (Turnberry) and the beauty…it’s pretty overwehlming!”

Tom Watson is not as nervy as he is wise. According to Watson, “maybe Jack (Nicklaus) was right about making a plan…I made a game plan and I’m on course with my game plan. I messed up a times….but this ol’ geezer might have a chance at winning this tournment!”

We’re cheering you on, Tom! The Duel in the Sun with Jack Nicklaus was 32 years ago, but you’re playing as if it was just yesterday…. keep the spirit karma alive!

Posted by Marilyn Harris

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Watson and Marino leading in British Open

Friday, July 17th, 2009

The spirits are looking over Tom Watson for this year’s British Open. His second round at the 2009 British Open turned out to be as impressive, if not more, as that of his first round of 65. Today, Watson finished with an even par 70. Although the number may not sound as impressive as yesterday’s, it’s the way he got to it that’s the buzz. On the front nine, Watson struggled with five bogeys (four in a row) on the first seven holes. Seemed like his stellar performance in round one at age 59 was slipping away. But then he experienced a revival of some sort with two birdies. His back nine was without errors. The putting gods were truly on his side….he rolled in a 75-foot birdie put on the 16th hole, followed with a par on 17 and ended with a spectacular 45-foot birdie putt to tie the tournament at 5 under with Steve Marino, an alternate player leading after the second round in his first British Open appearance.

If Watson can maintain the momentum of his game for two more rounds, he’ll become the oldest major champion to win the British Open. Age does not seem to be defying Watson. He’s in his glory demonstrating his delight with Tiger-like fist pumps and a big right-leg kick as he moved to the lead.

As Watson reflected on his second round, here’s what he had to say…”I make two no brainers…field goals as my dad called them… Something’s on my side… things are happening my way….as if the spirits are on my side.”

For all of you Tom Watson fans, let’s hope the spirits stay on his side for the next two rounds! Six British Open championships at age 59 would be oh so sweet!

Posted by Marilyn Harris

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Can Tom Watson Win His 6th British Open?

Friday, July 17th, 2009

Five-time British Open champion, Tom Watson, out played the field of youngsters during round one of the British Open at Turnberry, Scotland. Watson shot birdie after birdie wth a bogey-free round of 5 under for a 65, placing him tied for second with Ben Curtis and Kenichi Kuboya during the first round. But, can the 59 year old maintain the momentum against a host of 20-somethings who can hit the ball long and far? Golf is a sport that can be played competively at all ages. But age can be a major factor to withstanding the nerves and the muscles that seem to ache much longer. Watson just underwent hip surgery nine months ago. So his preformance in the 2009 Bristish Open is quite impressive. The oldest player to win of the British Open was Tom Morris at 46…..but that was 142 years ago.

Sporting a retro argyle sweater, Watson relived the final round of his 1977 British Open win over Jack Nicklaus, better known in golf lore as the “Duel in the Sun”, by one shot repeating his score of 65. Watson recalled, “there’s certain shots on the golf course that I remember how to play”…..and he certainly demonstrated his ability during this first round.

Watson already has 5 British Open wins (1975, 1977, 1980, 1982, and 1983). Is a sixth win in his future? Here’s Watson’s assessment… “I feel insprired playing here. It doesn’t feel a whole lot out of the ordinary from 32 years ago except that I don’t have the confidence in my putting as I had 32 years ago. But, again, a few of them might go in.”

Will age rule in this year’s British Open?

Posted by Marilyn Harris

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