Tom Watson is excited by the prospect of getting a second chance to finish on a high note at the Old Course following the announcement that the Senior Open Championship presented by Rolex will be hosted at St Andrews in 2018.
The decision to bring the Senior Open to St Andrews was announced at a conference at the club on Tuesday, with Watson, a three-time Senior Open winner in 2003, 2005 and 2007, calling in from Hawaii to express his delight at getting an opportunity to bid another fond farewell to the iconic venue.
Watson finished what he thought was his final round at the course at The Open Championship last year in near darkness.
“The one thing I hope I can rectify is that I left my competitive Open Championship history with a three-putt and prior to that a shank,” said the five-time Open winner. “I’m grateful to have that next appearance at St Andrews. I’m 66 years old right now. I don’t feel 66, especially over here in Hawaii where every day is a perfect day and golf is in the air.”
On the topic of his farewell at The Open last year, Watson said: “My playing partners, Ernie Els and Brandt Snedeker, were approached on the 17th tee to see if we wanted to continue, and I said, ‘it’s not up to me. These other two players are in contention for the tournament.’
“Both of them just looked at me and said, ‘What are you thinking? We’re finishing.’ I said to my son, Michael, on the 18th tee, ‘You know, son, no tears, just joy.’ I’ve had a great run here. I’ve been very fortunate not to have injuries and keep myself in good shape. Longevity comes from genes, and not blue jeans.
“But I don’t practise and play every day like when I was a kid. I still thrills me to be under pressure and to be able to hit some shots. I actually shot my age here a couple of weeks ago here in Hawaii."
You don’t know how big a thrill it is for a 66 year old to shoot 65. Tom Watson
Watson also had praise for the Senior Tour and its ability to throw up scenarios that wouldn’t normally occur.
“The thing I like about the senior game is that you have so-called unknown players who come to the front of the pack and have that story of ‘I can play, I just couldn’t play when I was a younger man on the Tour.’
“We had a guy like Allen Doyle who played wonderful golf with not a particularly classic golf swing, but, man, could he play.”
Keith Pelley, The European Tour’s CEO, confirmed that the Senior Tour will have undergone changes by the time the tournament comes to St Andrews in 2018.
“There will be more consistency in terms of the number of tournaments,” he said. “There will not be many gaps in between the tournaments. Sometimes there’s a gap of five or six weeks, which I don’t feel is acceptable. More sustainable prize purses is also something we’re going to work on diligently.
“It’s safe to say that the Senior Tour in 2018 will be significantly different than it is today.”
