Better than sex says Tom

With a big grin on his wrinkled face, ageing Open hero Tom Watson quipped: “For somebody who is 59, this is even better than sex!”

Wily Watson is overcoming all the odds, including a hip replacement, to battle his way to the top of the Open leaderboard.

Watson amazingly shares top spot on -5 after a gutsy 2nd round level-par 70 – secured with a sensational 60ft putt on the final green.

It’s been a mammoth effort by the veteran who triumphed over the same links well over three decades ago.

Watson feels he can pull it off again and complete a fairytale story – even more dramatic than the Duel in the Sun all those years ago.

“To be able to doing what I’m doing out here, making a few lucky putts here and there and still feeling I have a chance to win at 59 is pretty cool.

“I had my left hip replaced last October and it was very successful with no repercussions. I don’t think it’s changed my swing much and has allowed me a little bit more rtation with my hips.”

Watson puts his success down to being able to consistently find the fairways but admits his problems could come at the other end, saying: “My putting isn’t very strong now.

“I struggle some times and when the heat is on, it’s more of a struggle.”

The world of golf is waiting with baited-breath to see whether Watson can continue to roll back the years…

But while there was joy for old Tom there was despair for Tiger Woods who unbelievably missed the cut.

Tiger had no excuses though, saying: “It was just problem after problem. I kept compounding my problems out there.

“You have to produce clean cards to win majors and I just didn’t do that.”