What a fantastic Open, Tom Watson showed what a superb ambassador for the game he is. When you see the way he conducts himself on the course compared to Paul Casey smashing clubs and Tiger throwing his around, it makes you realize what a true gentleman he is. Here is the interview, people said he didint care - he didnt want to win.. what a load of rubbish - he is gutted. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/golf/8158423.stm
He speaks a little about a new ruling banning over 60s from playing - that would be a black day for golf. The kids of today need to see the likes of Tom and Greg etc - golf s a game of history and these living legends are as big a part as the Tigers and Mickelsons.
Golf..... the greatest game?
The Open 2009
Re: The Open 2009
Yes and also teach the kids not to run onto the green until the opponent has putted out (like the yanks in the Ryder cup)JW wrote:What a fantastic Open, Tom Watson showed what a superb ambassador for the game he is. When you see the way he conducts himself on the course compared to Paul Casey smashing clubs and Tiger throwing his around, it makes you realize what a true gentleman he is. Here is the interview, people said he didint care - he didnt want to win.. what a load of rubbish - he is gutted. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/golf/8158423.stm
He speaks a little about a new ruling banning over 60s from playing - that would be a black day for golf. The kids of today need to see the likes of Tom and Greg etc - golf s a game of history and these living legends are as big a part as the Tigers and Mickelsons.
Golf..... the greatest game?
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silverbird
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JW - I fully agree with your respect for the old players even if my opinion is that Tiger is an excellent ambassador for the old game as well.
If Watson had been born before July 20 1948 he would have been allowed to play until the age of 65 which means 2013. But the changes in the rules 2007 now makes it impossible as he is born 1949 (= max 60). But should he manage to finish in the top ten next year as well he will be entitled to participate 2011.
The following is information from St. Andrews and was dated July July 17, 2007.
ST. ANDREWS, Scotland - The British Open is changing the maximum age rule under which former champions are given automatic entry.
The Royal & Ancient Golf Club said Tuesday that former champions will only get automatic entry if they are under 60 - a reduction of five years from the current 65. But the age limit will be phased in over time.
''Therefore, the existing past champions' exemption has been changed to allow those currently aged between 60 and 65 to be eligible until the age of 65, whilst those under 60 will be eligible until they reach 60 years of age,'' the R&A statement said.
This means that former champions born between July 20, 1942, and July 19, 1948, will be allowed to enter until they are 65. But other former winners younger than that will only be able to enter until they are 60.
In other changes, the runners-up in the British Amateur, U.S. Amateur and European Amateur Championships will be exempt from regional qualifying. So will the 10 highest-ranked entrants on the R&A's world amateur golf ranking in the week beginning May 26.
If Watson had been born before July 20 1948 he would have been allowed to play until the age of 65 which means 2013. But the changes in the rules 2007 now makes it impossible as he is born 1949 (= max 60). But should he manage to finish in the top ten next year as well he will be entitled to participate 2011.
The following is information from St. Andrews and was dated July July 17, 2007.
ST. ANDREWS, Scotland - The British Open is changing the maximum age rule under which former champions are given automatic entry.
The Royal & Ancient Golf Club said Tuesday that former champions will only get automatic entry if they are under 60 - a reduction of five years from the current 65. But the age limit will be phased in over time.
''Therefore, the existing past champions' exemption has been changed to allow those currently aged between 60 and 65 to be eligible until the age of 65, whilst those under 60 will be eligible until they reach 60 years of age,'' the R&A statement said.
This means that former champions born between July 20, 1942, and July 19, 1948, will be allowed to enter until they are 65. But other former winners younger than that will only be able to enter until they are 60.
In other changes, the runners-up in the British Amateur, U.S. Amateur and European Amateur Championships will be exempt from regional qualifying. So will the 10 highest-ranked entrants on the R&A's world amateur golf ranking in the week beginning May 26.
Tiger is usually great, but when he was struggling he lost his temper (yep weve all done it!).
Really hope they do something to allow these great guys, who are still very competitive the chance to influence the golfers of the future.
Side note - Seve has announced that he intends to play in next years Open at St Andrews - there is a telephone interview between Gary Linekar and Seve on BBC Sport website, in it you can see Sam Torrance who is listening say - "he sounds great". He does also, very upbeat, great stuff!!!
Really hope they do something to allow these great guys, who are still very competitive the chance to influence the golfers of the future.
Side note - Seve has announced that he intends to play in next years Open at St Andrews - there is a telephone interview between Gary Linekar and Seve on BBC Sport website, in it you can see Sam Torrance who is listening say - "he sounds great". He does also, very upbeat, great stuff!!!
Yes JW, saw that interview live yesterday. It followed a 30-minute tribute to Sevvy, put together by the BBC. It was just a fantastic tribute, so well put together. The interview rounded it off brilliantly. You could see tears in Sam's eyes after Gary/Sevvy finished speaking.JW wrote:Tiger is usually great, but when he was struggling he lost his temper (yep weve all done it!).
Really hope they do something to allow these great guys, who are still very competitive the chance to influence the golfers of the future.
Side note - Seve has announced that he intends to play in next years Open at St Andrews - there is a telephone interview between Gary Linekar and Seve on BBC Sport website, in it you can see Sam Torrance who is listening say - "he sounds great". He does also, very upbeat, great stuff!!!
I bet Sevvy really enjoyed the final day of the Open yesterday. As he said in the interview, Jose Maria Olzabal was visiting him for lunch then to watch the final round together. Would've been great to be a fly on the wall listening to them.
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Vital Spark
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I agree with JW that Tom Watson is a true gentleman, and a great ambassador for the sport. He must have been truly gutted to not win the Claret Jug, but still managed a smile and a joke with the crowds when he hit those wayward shots during the play-off.
If only he had holed that 10ft putt.....
I couldn't stop watching it, which was a damned nuisance as I had to be up at 7 the next morning and be bright and cheerful for work.
There is, in the world of golf, 'The Open' and the others. Just like winning Wimbledon is the ultimate goal for a tennis player.
VS
If only he had holed that 10ft putt.....
I couldn't stop watching it, which was a damned nuisance as I had to be up at 7 the next morning and be bright and cheerful for work.
There is, in the world of golf, 'The Open' and the others. Just like winning Wimbledon is the ultimate goal for a tennis player.
VS
"Properly trained, man can be a dog's best friend"