For 71 holes, the 2009 Open was all about one man: the legendary Tom Watson.
At age 59 and just nine months after hip-replacement surgery, the five-time “champion golfer” led the field going into the final day at Turnberry.
An improbable, record-equalling sixth Claret Jug was very much on the cards – and a perfect excuse to take a closer look at this unforgettable fourth round.
A bogey-free opening-round 65 reminded us of Watson’s mastery of links golf.
Any doubts as to the American’s major stamina were quashed as he kept himself in the hunt over the weekend, posting a 4-under-par 206 to lead after 54 holes.
Impressive as it was, he was just a shot clear of Ross Fisher and Mathew Goggin, with Lee Westwood and Stewart Cink also not far away.
It wasn’t the last time that the lead would change hands on a tumultuous Sunday.
Despite his unquestionable record, perhaps the weight of expectation hampered Watson in the early stages of the final round as he bogeyed two of the first three holes to relinquish his advantage to Fisher.
Indeed, Fisher’s spell at the head of the table was short-lived; a quadruple bogey on the fifth putting paid to his chances.
Another home favourite emerged from the pack in the shape of Westwood, with an eagle on the seventh suddenly giving him a two-shot lead.
Watson displayed the resilience and brilliance of an eight-time major winner. Birdies on Nos. 7 and 11 brought him back level with the Worksop Wonder and a resurgent Goggin.
And with the Huckleberry Dillinger’s chance of becoming by far the oldest major winner growing by the second, an erratic run of three birdies and two bogeys in six holes allowed Cink to climb the leaderboard and put himself firmly in contention.
To find out how this epic final-day contest panned out, click HERE.
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