HOYLAKE, England – Tom Watson's ball rolled on to the 18th green at Royal Liverpool on Sunday and most of the spectators in the horseshoe grandstand gave him a prolonged standing ovation.
The five-time Open champion, doffing his cap as he walked, has a way of doing that to a crowd, especially in Britain.
Watson's putt for eagle just missed, leaving him with a 4-under 68 and a climb up the leaderboard past Tiger Woods, the man Ryder Cup captain Watson will consider as one of his three picks for September's Ryder Cup.
The 64-year-old Watson finished at 1-over 289 for the tournament, five strokes better than Woods — who carded 75 Sunday.
Watson says Sunday's round gave him plenty of confidence for next week's British Senior Open at Royal Porthcawl in Wales.
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