Tom Watson proved this morning that the agony of missing out on a sixth Open Championship with the final putt had not doused his competitive fire, as he posted a three-under-par 67 to lie within one shot of the lead in the Senior Open at Sunningdale.
The 59-year-old is aiming to extend a remarkable trend of winning the Senior title in odd-numbered years, which began in 2003. Another victory here would not quite erase the bittersweet memories of Turnberry, but it would certainly palliate the pain.
Watson was asked earlier this week by Greg Norman's wife, Chris Evert, whether he would pick second place in the Open above a Senior triumph and, predictably, he said he would choose the Open every time.
But his answer does not diminish his affection for a tournament that has been good to him and that continues to draw a luminously starry field.
The crowds flocked to Berkshire today in anticipation of seeing the 18 major-winners represented here, and most interest was focused on the trio that included Watson, Norman and Sandy Lyle.
Watching these three was a wise choice since all of them surged rapidly up the leaderboard. Both Watson and Norman recorded 67s, the American showing all of the putting touch that so fleetingly, and crucially, deserted him at Turnberry.
On only the first green he gave himself a 30-foot effort for eagle, which he knocked stone dead. By lunchtime he was one shot off the early pace of four under, set by compatriots Loren Roberts and Jay Haas.
"A victory is a victory," Watson said. "To win the Seniors Open is a special victory. It's like rating women. How are you going to rate women? I've never been a fan of people rating golf courses.
"Why do you keep going? I enjoy the competition. I still enjoy hitting a shot when it counts. I enjoy making a shot when I have to. I still have the same adrenalin as when I was 26.
"The great thing about the seniors is that every year new players come on tour whom the public recognise," he added.
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