Talk about an exhausting few weeks of golf for a golfer who is knocking at the door of 60-years-of age. First he comes within an 8 foot putt of not only winning the British Open, but becoming the oldest winner in the entire lofty history of the PGA Tour. Then, not 24 hours later after losing the tournament to Stewart Cink, he’s back on the golf course trying to re-hone his skills for tomorrows Senior British Open.
Playing Against His Own Field
The one thing he’s got going for him when it comes to the Senior British Open, however, is at least he’ll be playing with people his own age, and considering just how well he played against the young folks, we might be seeing some brand new vigor and amazing play out of Watson. He’s got another day to brush up before the first tee-off at Sunningdale.
Watson Sounds Off…
When asked how he’s doing this, how his body is holding up and how he’s going to get over the loss to Cink and move forward, Watson had some no-nonsense things to say:
“My mom and dad were flexible and in good shape well into their 70s, I come from good genes there…This, too, shall pass…It’s onward to the next week and forget what you did in the past, except where it might help you play better golf.”
Considering who he is up against at this year’s Senior British Open, he’s going to have his work cut out for him and he’ll be hoping to draw on the same play that got him to the final playoff at Turnberry. With Bernhard Langer, Sandy Lyle and Nick Faldo all playing great golf and being in the field, Watson will be tested from the first shot to the last.
Can He Recreate Magic?
Can he rebound from the loss and play well here, or will the effects, both physical and mental, be too much to help him recreate the magic? I guess we’ll see.
I had a hard time watching the playoff. It would have been amazing if he sank that putt on the 18th..