Tom Watson makes emotional farewell walk up 18th hole in his final British Open
Tom Watson did not let the weather deter him from soaking up St. Andrews during an emotional walk to the 18th hole at his final Open Championship.
Tom Watson's moment in the sun in his final British Open was shrouded in gloom as the weather-delayed second round at St. Andrews was suspended due to darkness before the five-time Open champion could finish up on Friday.
"This is a crying shame, it really is," ESPN's Mike Tirico said as R&A officials got ready to call it. "The romantic in us wanted Tom Watson in the sunlight to walk over the Swilcan Bridge and have the place full and the town packed. Instead it will only be a few." Amid confusion about whether Watson would get through his 18 holes before the horn blew signaling and end to play for the day, spectators re-lined the 18th fairway as the American who's as close to a Scottish native as someone from Kansas could be unleashed his last drive and made his way over the Swilcan Bridge.
Despite the gloaming, what was not dampened was Watson’s love affair with Scotland, which was on full display as the five-time British Open winner made his sentimental final tour of St. Andrews as an Open Championship contender.
"The crowds are very nice, very appreciative, and I'm appreciative back. I respect what they're doing for me," said Watson, playing this week on an invitation from the R&A, after an opening-round 4-over 76. "You know, you give respect to people who give you respect. That's what I've done. That's what I do."
He got a standing ovation from the 1st tee all the way through his final loop. A large crowd also came out on the patio at the Old Course hotel, which lines the most famous par-4 in golf, the Road Hole 17th.
Several R&A officials and some of his competitors came out of the clubhouse to surround the green for his final putt at the Championship he became synonymous with. Matt Kuchar, who finished hours ahead of Watson, was there to greet him along with players from both sides of the pond. Billy Horschel tweeted his viewpoint.
"This is a crying shame, it really is," ESPN's Mike Tirico said as R&A officials got ready to call it. "The romantic in us wanted Tom Watson in the sunlight to walk over the Swilcan Bridge and have the place full and the town packed. Instead it will only be a few." Amid confusion about whether Watson would get through his 18 holes before the horn blew signaling and end to play for the day, spectators re-lined the 18th fairway as the American who's as close to a Scottish native as someone from Kansas could be unleashed his last drive and made his way over the Swilcan Bridge.
Despite the gloaming, what was not dampened was Watson’s love affair with Scotland, which was on full display as the five-time British Open winner made his sentimental final tour of St. Andrews as an Open Championship contender.
"The crowds are very nice, very appreciative, and I'm appreciative back. I respect what they're doing for me," said Watson, playing this week on an invitation from the R&A, after an opening-round 4-over 76. "You know, you give respect to people who give you respect. That's what I've done. That's what I do."
He got a standing ovation from the 1st tee all the way through his final loop. A large crowd also came out on the patio at the Old Course hotel, which lines the most famous par-4 in golf, the Road Hole 17th.
Several R&A officials and some of his competitors came out of the clubhouse to surround the green for his final putt at the Championship he became synonymous with. Matt Kuchar, who finished hours ahead of Watson, was there to greet him along with players from both sides of the pond. Billy Horschel tweeted his viewpoint.
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