Watson wins third Senior British Open title
BY Bruce Young | European Seniors Tour | 2007 Senior British Open | Round Four | 30 Jul 2007
57-year-old Tom Watson added a third Senior Open title to his significant list of victories with a one shot victory over Australia’s Stewart Ginn and Mark O’Meara at the famed Muirfield layout in Scotland.
The leading trio had played together in round four on a day where the strong breezes that swept across the fine Muirfield Links would ensure only three players would break par.
Watson, who won one of his five British Open crowns at this course some 27 years earlier, joined third round leader Stewart Ginn in the lead when he birdied the 5th hole to move to 4 under for the tournament. That pair had a three shot break over Mark O’Meara at that stage and within just a few holes Watson appeared to be cruising as Ginn began to drop shots in succession.
Watson gave his chasers some hope when he double bogeyed the 10th and although the door had been opened no-one appeared able or prepared to capitalise on the opportunity. By the time Watson stumbled again at the last hole it was all too late for those behind him on the leaderboard and he would run out the winner by one over Ginn and O’Meara with Ginn having reversed a nasty trend with his birdie at the 17th.
Ginn and O’Meara earned €122,000 for their efforts while Watson picked up €234,000.
Jay Haas, Lonnie Nielsen, Eduardo Romero and Loren Roberts all finished in a share of fourth, albeit three shots behind the runners up.
After Ginn the best of the Australasians was the amazing 71-year-old New Zealander, Bob Charles, who finished 34th and ahead of many players up to 20 years younger.
