With sunshine and showers along with a smattering of wind forecast for Sunday’s final day of the Open at Turnberry, it is the veteran, 59 year-old five-times former champion Tom Watson who finds himself atop the pile going into the last eighteen holes.
However, there are still numerous challengers to Watson’s lead, with only seven players in red figures while even those players at +2 or +3 are far from out of the tournament reckoning if or when the forecast rains and winds appear.
For Watson, the conditions should play into his hands and the road appears clear for him to capture a record-equalling sixth Open. After all, few would have giving the veteran American any chance before play began on Thursday, while it was quite conceivable his opening round on Thursday would have been a flash-in-the-pan and Watson would drop back through the field like a stone through water as the tournament progressed. However, Watson has proved the doubters wrong with some sterling golf which has seen him hold steadfast at the top of the leaderboard. Even when things seemed to be going wrong and he began carding the odd bogey here and there he dug deep and make the birdies which mattered to haul him back to the top of the pile.
Behind Watson sits Englishman Ross Fisher and Australian Matthew Goggin – one of only seven players to card an under-par round on Saturday. For Fisher it will be a similar position to which he found himself in at the US Open at Bethpage Black, where he was challenging for the lead until late in his round and he’ll be hoping lightning doesn’t strike twice. Of the other players under par, the list includes Fisher’s fellow Englishman Lee Westwood who has been a model of consistency over the three days while Retief Goosen, Stewart Cink and Jim Furyk lurk menacingly just off the pace. All are capable of putting together a good score in the final round.
Of those in plus figures, don’t rule out US Masters champion Angel Cabrera, veteran Fijian Vijay Singh, rising star Camilo Villegas, Ernie Els or even ‘wild thing’ John Daly who all find themselves within seven of the lead. Remember, anything can happen in an Open, especially if the weather turns nasty and no-one can forget the deficit which Paul Lawrie turned over when he captured his Open at Carnoustie in 1999 – a massive 10 shots!
Today’s order of play sees Watson and playing partner Mathew Goggin go out at 2.20pm BST as the last pairing. But whose name will the engraver ultimately carve onto the Claret Jug come 6.30pm?
Watson would be a deserved winner, and there would be few in golf who would grudge him this major success after the way he has played and conducted himself over the week. But sentiment aside, there will be no-one willing to concede to the golfing legend as their final rounds unfold.
Its going to be an interesting afternoon and may the best man win.
