2009 Open Championship Clippings, Round 1 Edition

I think you know what happened, just in case, a few ledes:

Miguel Angel Jiménez's rolling putt across Turnberry's 18th green in the evening gave the Spaniard the first-round lead but it could not deny the old warrior Tom Watson another day in the sun.

James Corrigan in the Independent:

For more than six hours the dream was on, the clock was rewound and golf was again basking in its golden age. At the age of 59, Tom Watson was about to become the oldest man in history to lead after the first round of a major. And not any old major but an Open Championship at Turnberry of all things. Nostalgia floated in on the gentle breeze, bringing with it the memories of 1977 and that sunlit duel.

Derek Lawrenson in the Daily Mail:

American legend Tom Watson didn't so much roll back the years as pummel them into submission with a stunning 65 in the first round of The Open.

Mark Reason in the Telegraph:

Ol' Tom Watson just keeps rolling along, as timeless as the Mississippi river. The 59 year-old from Kansas blazed round Turnberry in 65 strokes as the years tumbled back.

Wasn't that the same score Watson shot 32 years ago when he stared down Jack Nicklaus in the famous 'Duel in the Sun'? They say that time and tide wait for no man. They were wrong. The time and tide at Turnberry always wait for Watson.

Doug Ferguson writing for the AP:

Tom Watson, famous for winning the “Duel in the Sun” that forever links him with Turnberry, is at the stage in his career where the British Open should be a ceremonial stroll into the sunset.

This is the era of Tiger Woods. This is the title defense of Padraig Harrington.

Yet at age 59, with wrinkles framing his gap-tooth grin, Watson poured in birdie after birdie, reviving his spiritual connection on Scottish links with a bogey-free round of 5-under 65.

Watson

Michael Bamberger on Watson who I forgot also won a Senior Open at Turnberry.

Jack and Barbara — and Watson's current wife, Hilary — were there for the 2003 Senior British Open win, without the bottles of wine, at least for Tom, who doesn't drink these days. This year, it's Hilary and assorted friends. On the bag is Neil Oxman, who first encouraged Bruce Edwards to ask Tom Watson for work way back when in 1973. Watson's been saying the same thing for some years now: as you get older, the things you appreciate are not the things you do for yourself, but the things you do for and with family and real friends.

Jeff Babineau for Golfweek:

Wednesday night, Watson received a text from Barbara Nicklaus, who said she’d seen a flattering picture of Watson’s caddie, Neil Oxman, and wished Watson well. Watson texted back that he misses seeing Jack at the Open, just as the Open will miss Watson when he walks away at age 60 in St. Andrews next July. The way this week has unfolded, though, from solid practice rounds to his opening round magic, Watson said there has been a spiritual sense to it all.

“Just the serenity of it was pretty neat,” he said.

Tiger

Thomas Bonk for GolfDigest.com:

In his rush to keep up with Tiger Woods as he left the 18th green Thursday, caddie Steve Williams broke into a brisk trot, pulled off his caddie bib and, in one fluid motion, tossed it backwards to the attendant while knocking his own cap to the ground, never bothering to pick it up.

Woods was going somewhere, anywhere, and he was going fast. Where Woods wasn't going in the first round of the British Open was up the leader board. He opened with a one-over 71, continuing his downward trend of starting a major championship heading in the wrong direction.

See, that's why Stevie normally takes the bib off early!

Damon Hack on Tiger's opening round:

If rust and a cold driver hurt Woods at Augusta National and weather and a cold putter slowed him at the United States Open at Bethpage Black, Woods would have to look hard for an alibi through one round at Turnberry. The wind was down. Birdies and eagles were plentiful. Woods was stuck in neutral.

Art Spander considersthe odds of Woods win now, and other betting options for those who are blessed with the option (that would exclude those of us in the land of the free).

Miscellany

Mickey Stafford files several notes, including an item on Watson having little trouble finding his room at Turnberry. It's named after him.

Mark Soltau with the best quotes of the day, including some great stuff from other players about Watson.

Tim Rosaforte on Mark Calcaveccia's Aleve and beer regimen.

Steve Elling on Ben Curtis' love of links golf.

John Hopkins says "Sandy Lyle has hijacked the 138th Open" and demands: Put a sock in it, Sandy, we said. Now we say: please, please put a sock in it, Sandy. Give over. Leave Montgomerie alone. Let's get on with the golf. It is much more interesting than your vendetta.

Jay Coffin on Miguel Angel Jimenez'scigar smoking andon highlightsfrom UK radio's coverage. My favorite:OnBoo Weekley: “Boo Weekley sounds like a newspaper for ghosts. But it’s not, it’s a golfer.”

And Coffin on Sergio tipping his cap to the gallery that was cheering for Watson.

Jay Busbee suggests that we better respect the villainous 16th hole.

Chris Chase on how nice it was to hear Tom Weiskopf's calming presence.

Mickey Stafford on a new rule that forbids patrons from leaving and re-entering on the same day. The R&A says it's to improve traffic, local businesses aren't buying that explanation.

Robert Winder on several topics, including a popular topic: Ian Poulter's outfit backfiring.

Alistair Tait asks, "Where is everybody?" and wonders about the lackluster attendance.

I’ve never experienced a quieter first day of an Open Championship than this one. When Tom Watson walked up the 18th hole, the grandstands were only a quarter full. And it was noon! I know Turnberry is out of the way and there’s a recession, but come on: This is The Open for goodness sake!

And finally, the Jenkins Tweet's of the day (it was a tie!):