Calm before the Open storm

With some squally showers around Turnberry, it’s like the calm before the storm with the leaders, including Old Tom Morris, sorry Watson, getting ready to take to the course.

The expectation and pressure is definitely mounting and everybody at Turnberry – and in millions of homes worldwide –  is on tenterhooks to see whether Watson can miraculously become the oldest major champion in history.

With Watson taking centre stage and hogging the limelight, the weekend absence of world no. 1 Tiger Woods has barely been mentioned and who would have thought that?

But Watson will have to be at his very wily best to make it six Open titles as there’s a whole gaggle of talented players chasing him, including England pair Lee Westwood and Ross Fisher who have high hopes of claiming their first major.

Players making an early charge and moving up the leaderboard and may be, just may be, into contention include Ernie Els and Luke Donald. Both made bright starts and good back nines could put them right back in the hunt. 

However, Padraig Harrington’s Open reign is finally over. The Dubliner – winner at Birkdale last year and Carnoustie in 2007 – finished a short while ago with a final round 73 (+12) and well down the field.

No doubt he’ll be back to battle it out for the Claret Jug again in the hope of becoming an Open legend like Old Toms Morris and Watson…