continued from page son liked ….

continued from page

son liked it. Surely that enhance his opportunity in the UK. He won The Open five times but had the most heart-breaking loss in 2009 at Turnberry when he was 59 years old and needed par on the final hole to become the oldest champion and tie Harry Vardon for the most Open titles at six.

His approach to the final hole was just a mite strong and rolled to the back of the green. His putt ended up eight feet short on the 72nd hole. He missed it and then lost to Stewart Cink in a four-hole playoff.

In his collection of claret jugs, there was that epic battle with Jack Nicklaus also at Turnberry in 1977 when Watson won by a stroke. It had to be difficult for Nicklaus, who had a penchant for coming from behind to overtake many would be major champions, to shoot 65-66 in the final two rounds and lose to Watson’s 65-65.

That was The Open which turned into match play the final two rounds between these two great champions. Watson had another memorable moment against Jack when he chipped in from off the green at No. 17 at Pebble Beach in 1982 to give him his only U. S. Open title while denying Nicklaus a record 5th U. S. title.

Their rivalry in those years was classic and was good for golf, and every year of the British championship you hear conversation about the “Duel in the Sun,” at Turnberry nearly a half century ago.

Open fans are knowledgeable about past glory, and they are keen about equipment and the ups and downs of the current stars, including the new faces making headlines in the world of golf.

Doesn’t matter what the results are each day, much of the fun of The Open is interaction with the people. The pubs are filled with doting fans who start saving this week for the 154th Open at Royal Birkdale in 2026.

The Open is classic wherever it is played, but Portrush is special and it again crowned a worthy champion.