Tom Watson rolls back years to lead Open

Five times champion shoots third-round of 71 to lead by one shot from Ross Fisher and Mathew Goggin in The Open.
A YEAR after 53-year-old Greg Norman headed the field going into the final round of The Open, another veteran champion has taken centre stage. Tom Watson, 59, holds a one-stroke lead over England’s Ross Fisher and Australian Mathew Goggin at Turnberry, scene of his greatest triumph 32 years ago.
The five-times Open champion began the day tied for the lead with fellow American Steve Marino. However, he had dropped three shots by the time he reached the 16th and his improbable challenge appeared to be fading. Yet, just as he had done on Friday, Watson rattled in a long putt for birdie and then picked up a further shot at the next hole. A par at the 18th gave him a round of 71 and put him on four under par for the tournament. If he wins today, he would become the oldest player in the modern era to win a major championship, easily topping Julius Boros, who won the 1968 US PGA title at the age of 48.
Watson’s last Open victory was at Birkdale in 1983, though he retains most affection for this course, scene of his dramatic Duel in the Sun with Jack Nicklaus.
On a day that saw England on top against Australia at Lords, it was honours even between the two countries at Turnberry. Fisher, from Wentworth and Tasmanian Goggin are on three under par, with Lee Westwood just a shot back.

Fisher had said he would abandon his challenge and leave the course to fly home immediately if his wife went into labour with their first child. However Jo Fisher, now five days overdue, had shown no signs of going into labour yesterday.
Her husband enters the final day with an outstanding chance of becoming the first Englishman since Nick Faldo in 1992 to land a major. Both he and Westwood arrived on the Ayrshire coast in form and have looked the two best strikers of the ball over the first three days. Had either holed more putts, he would have had a clear lead this morning.
Goggin started three shots back before a third round of 69 that had put him out front on his own, only for Watson’s late surge to leave him in a tie for second. Again, the wind and the course had the upper hand over the players. Only five broke par and just American Bryce Molder, with a 67, shot lower than Goggin.
Sunshine and showers are predicted today and it could be that those players who make par will move forward.
Source:The times