Tom
Watson thinks about the 18th hole at last July's British Open only
when items such as a notebook, camera or microphone find him. His fans however think about it every time they see him.
So when Tom Watson posted a first round 67, matching his lowest round ever at Augusta National, it wasn't hard for fans to quickly return their minds to Turnberry and the magical week the 60-year old Watson provided golf's followers.
Since July, Watson has said several times in interviews that playing
Augusta National Golf Club and putting his name on the leaderboard would
be a different story because of the length of the course.
"This is a longer golf course and requires certain shots that I have
to be on my best," said Watson, the 1977 and 1981 champion. "I have to
be between 95 (and) 100 percent to be able to play four quality rounds
and get the shots into the greens like 17 and 7.
"No. 7 is a hard enough green to get on with a wedge, but when you
are back there hitting a 6-iron or 5-iron, it makes it doubly tough."
Not that Watson is complaining about being at Augusta.
"Coming to Augusta, you always have a special feeling in your gut
when you tee it up on the first tee," Watson said. "My first time here
in 1970 I played as an amateur and I had that extra special feeling, and
that feeling hasn't dissolved very much. Once you get on that first
tee, it's still very, very special."
Watson said he has been encouraged during his practice rounds this
week.
"I'm hitting the ball well," Watson said. "I put myself in the 90
percent area right now. I am giving myself a pretty good grade so far.
Now, I hope I'm not jinxing myself by saying that."
