Five-time Open champion and three-time Senior Open champion Tom Watson once again dialed back the clock Saturday at St. Andrews, but only for 13 holes.

The 68-year-old got off to a magical start in Round 3, making the turn in 3-under 33 thanks to this improbable eagle at five …

… and this follow-up birdie at six:

Following a dropped shot at the 12th, Watson took the outright lead by two at 10 under par when he became the first player in the field to record a birdie at 13, pouring in this impossibly long putt for his three:

“I made two no-brain putts,” Watson said after his round, “in the dip in front of No. 5 for eagle, and I made a probably about 85- or 90-foot putt at No. 13 for birdie.”


Full-field scores from The Senior Open


But his lead would quickly vanish. Watson found a pot bunker at the par-5 14th, leading to a double bogey, and would drop two more shots on his way in, at Nos. 16 and 17, to sign for 1-over 73 and finish his round 6 under for the week, three off the lead held by Miguel Angel Jimenez.

“I made some mistakes and I paid the penalty for them,” Watson added. “I didn’t play a very good second shot at No. 14. I put it in one of the little pot bunkers and ended up making seven there and double bogeying. That didn’t make me very happy there.

“But all in all, I hit some quality shots today, and I was happy about the way I played. It was a tough golf course. She was tough today.

“It’s good to be in [contention], I wish I had just been a couple shots lower, because … players seem like they always bunch up on this golf course. I’m in a bunch just behind the leaders, and I’m going to have play some really good golf tomorrow to come out in front.”

Watson charges into lead, but fades late at Senior Open

Source: Internet

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