The First Round Leader at Turnberry? Watson, My Dear! Watson!

One of the most celebrated clichés of all time is, “History repeats itself.” There’s a reason, of course, why a cliché is a cliché. It’s because it’s usually true.

That’s the first thought that came to my mind after watching Tom Watson jump to the top of the leader board after the first round of the 2009 British Open. Tom Watson and Turnberry. Sound familiar?

It should because Tom Watson is once again tearing it up at Turnberry!

Watson tied for second after one round in the 3rd PGA Major of the year with a -5. How good was Tom on Thursday? Good enough to take a 6 shot lead over Tiger Woods, the best player in the world and biggest favorite to win the British Open since butter was favored over lard to go onto toast.

It’s all brought back memories of 1977 when our dear Watson battled it out against that generation’s El Tigre, the Golden Bear, Jack Nicklaus. Labelled “The Opens of Opens”, Watson and Nicklaus shot identical scores for the 1st three rounds - - 68,70 and 65 - - to set up one of the most, if not the most, anticipated final round in a Major in golf history. With two birdies during the first four holes to gain the lead, Nicklaus looked like he was on his way to victory, but Watson evened the score by scoring two birdies himself before the Bear drained a 25 footer on the 12th hole.

It wasn’t until the 15th hole that Watson took control of the Duel. The shot was an absolute thing of beauty, a 60 footer from just off of the green that almost melted its way to the hole. With the shot, Watson tied Nicklaus. Then, on the 17th, Watson took the lead with a birdie. The Bear had a chance to tie with a downhill four foot putt, but failed to get it done, but the Bear wouldn’t be subdued for long.

He roared back with a birdie on the 18th to force Watson to make a 2 ½ ft putt on the green for the championship. With the Open tied, Watson set up, eyes glazed over, hands seemingly trembling, feet shaking above the soft grass. He pulled back, hit the ball and watched as it rolled into the cup.

The Duel ended, the cheers erupted and the two brilliant warriors, a word like respect not able to describe it, walked off the green together, arms around each other’s shoulders.

When: Thursday-Sunday, July 16-19
Where: Turnberry's Ailsa Course, Scotland
Yardage/Par: 7,204 yards; par 70
2008 champion: Padraig Harrington
TV: Thu., Fri. 7 a.m.-7 p.m. ET on TNT;
Sat. 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. ET on ABC;
Sun. 8 a.m. ET-1:30 p.m. ET on ABC