NCG Diary: Reward for Tom Watson
NCG's resident diarist Mark Townsend discusses the latest R&A rule change, which has handed Tom Watson an Open Championship exemption...
THIS is the best bit of news we've had for some time. There was more than a hint of sadness around the golfing world when Tom Watson took five up the last in this year's Open Championship at Turnberry to let Stewart Cink into a play-off.
With the best story in sport ready to be written moments earlier we then had to endure a gut-wrenching four extra holes as Cink flourished and Watson folded.
Watson left Ayrshire with bundles of memories, thousands of emails and a healthy pay cheque but with just one more Open left to play in. Just when we had been reacquainted all over again, that would soon be that.
Until now, courtesy of the R&A and a new ruling that will see any former champions who finish inside the top 10 being granted a five-year exemption.
Given that any winner can play until the age of 60 this only affects Watson. This change will only impact those past winners who finish 10th or better at the age of 56 or older which, at the current count, only also includes Bill Rogers and he hasn't played since 1986.
Many of the game's rules are so set in stone that it can take forever and a day to make any amendments but the R&A have acted within just a few months.
There is every chance that this ruling will never again be taken advantage of which, in itself, makes it even better.
The unmentionables
Whisper this gently but I think I may have a dose of the, you know, how can I put this, the J Arthurs. The Lucy Locketts, the Power Push, El Hosel...
Yes, I think I’ve got the shanks. After the first hint of trouble what tends to follow ‘the closest thing to the perfect shot’ is a silent panic, followed by a heaving hook and, before too long, another piped squirter.
To date this has only occurred at the driving range, and just with a five iron, but the seeds of doubt have well and truly been sown and a very lofted hybrid already sought.
We’ve been here before, of course, one glorious morning 20 years ago in the biggest round of my life. Five pitching wedges, five laterals into either a bush or some unsuspecting parents.
And then they went, like a cloud passing by the moon.
My strategy for December is to work on my putting and mental game.