KIDWCKED
07-17-2010, 06:12 PM
c/p from espn by the a/p
ST. ANDREWS, Scotland -- Tom Watson put one hand on the Swilcan Bridge, bent over and kissed the ancient stones.
This was no tearful goodbye. Rather, a fond farewell.
Watson played his last round in a British Open at St. Andrews on Friday, assured of missing the cut after shooting a 3-over 75.
"St. Andrews, when I first played here, I didn't like it," he said. "But I learned to like it. And, eventually, to love it."
Several hundred fans stuck around in the fading light for one last glimpse of Watson on the Old Course, and he didn't disappoint. With playing partners Padraig Harrington and Ryo Ishikawa well ahead so as not to steal his moment, Watson kissed the bridge and then took a last, nostalgic walk over it.
As applause and shouts of "We love you, Tom!" rang out, Watson stood on top of the bridge, took off his cap and waved it at the crowd. He gave a thumbs up and then stood still, soaking it all in -- just as his old friends and rivals Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus had done before him.
ST. ANDREWS, Scotland -- Tom Watson put one hand on the Swilcan Bridge, bent over and kissed the ancient stones.
This was no tearful goodbye. Rather, a fond farewell.
Watson played his last round in a British Open at St. Andrews on Friday, assured of missing the cut after shooting a 3-over 75.
"St. Andrews, when I first played here, I didn't like it," he said. "But I learned to like it. And, eventually, to love it."
Several hundred fans stuck around in the fading light for one last glimpse of Watson on the Old Course, and he didn't disappoint. With playing partners Padraig Harrington and Ryo Ishikawa well ahead so as not to steal his moment, Watson kissed the bridge and then took a last, nostalgic walk over it.
As applause and shouts of "We love you, Tom!" rang out, Watson stood on top of the bridge, took off his cap and waved it at the crowd. He gave a thumbs up and then stood still, soaking it all in -- just as his old friends and rivals Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus had done before him.