British Open 2009 at Turnberrry, Watson birdies for lead

July 17, 10:36 AMSF International Golf Travel ExaminerKaren Misuraca

Previous Next

Comment Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the SF International Golf Travel Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

The Alisa Course at Turnberry in Scotland, site of the 138th British Open Championship

After thrilling crowds with a sizzling 65 yesterday, five-time British Open winner, Tom Watson walked onto the 18th hole today as the crowd gave him a standing ovation at the 138th Open Championship at Turnberry. Under gray skies on one of the greatest links courses in the world, from off the green, he holed a massive putt for a birdie, and the spectators leaped to their feet again as Watson finished the day tied for first place with Steve Marino. One of the lesser-known American players, Marino is in the clubhouse with a 68.

59-year-old Tom Watson is the oldest player in the field. His threesome today included Sergio Garcia and the youngest player, 16-year-old Matteo Manassero from Italy, who finished 1-over and made the cut for the weekend.

Typical of linklands weather in Scotland, rain was intermittent and stiff winds whipped hats off and golf balls into the high, wet grasses lining the fairways. A rather short, narrow course,  the  Alisa at Turnberry takes it easy on golfers, as it did yesterday, only when skies are blue and breezes are calm.

Yesterday's leader, Miguel Angel Jimenez, the 45-year-old Spaniard, is in the clubhouse tied for 4th, shooting a 73 today, while, 49-year-old Mark Calcavecchia is hanging in there at third place, so far, with a 69. 

Will the old lions roar in the wet and wild at Turnberry tomorrow?  Watch the British Open live

Read about the first round of the the 2009 British Open.

Read about the British Open 2009 at Turnberry, part 1

Read about the British Open 2009 at Turnberry, part 2, the first Open

Read about the British Open 2009 at Turnberry, part 3, the resort

Founder/editor of BestGolfResortsofTheWorld.com, Karen Misuraca is a travel and golf writer from the California Wine Country. She follows the little white ball around the world and blogs golf travel at bestgolf.typepad.com/blog/