Watson turns back the clock at British Open

Turnberry,SCOTLAND - Tom Watson topped the early leaderboard as the British Open got underway in benign conditions Thursday at the Ailsa Course in Scotland’s Turnberry Resort in Ayrshire.

The 59-year-old American, who won the Open back in 1977 when it first came to Turnberry, carded a 5-under par 65 to take the early clubhouse lead, one shot clear of Australia’s John Senden, who only qualified for the event Tuesday.

Five-time Open winner Watson, whose last Claret Jug came in 1983, started strongly in perfect conditions at the links course, birdying two of the opening three holes, followed by three further birdies on the back nine.

Senden may have only found out he was competing this week after Jeev Milkha was forced to withdraw due to injury but took full advantage, shooting a bogey-free round while finishing strongly with birdies at 13, 14, 15 and 17.

“They were perfect conditions out there this morning,” said Senden. “I feel that there are low scores out there today.”

Like Senden, Mark Calcavecchia carded three birdies but the 49-year-old also bogeyed the third to lie one shot off the lead.

“It was perfect, really as nice as you can get,” said Calcavecchia, winner of the British Open in 1989 at nearby Troon. “The course couldn’t possibly play any easier.”

Mark O’Meara, Open winner in 1998, sank a birdie at the last to also finish with a 67, despite suffering a double bogey at the par-3 fourth, while Steve Stricker birdied the final two holes of his round to lie tied for second place with Senden.

“We played in virtually no wind today,” said Stricker. “I felt comfortable with the course.”