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Devil Ball Golf - Golf

Devil Ball Golf

Fri Jul 17, 2009 3:38 pm EDT

Would the R&A really boot Tom Watson off the Open after 2010?

By Jay Busbee

As you may have heard, Tom Watson stands at the upper reaches of the British Open leaderboard. As you may also have heard, Tom Watson is 59 years old.

But here's a little wrinkle: The Royal & Ancient Golf Club has decreed that nobody over the age of 60 can play in a British Open. So all of a sudden, the greatest links player in history is down to one-and-a-half Britishes.

On its face, it seems to make sense, in a curiously unsentimental way -- nobody wants to see a bunch of old geezers doddering their way around a course. The oldest major winner was Julius Boros at the PGA in 1968 -- age 48 -- and the oldest to win the British was Old Tom Morris at age 46, which happened nearly a century and a half ago. So there's not exactly precedent for what Watson's doing right now.

The list of exemption rules for the British Open, like all majors, is a mile long, but the basic thrust is this: Watson can play next year on his Open-winner exemption, but that's it -- unless, of course, he turns in another outstanding tournament and records a top-10 finish in 2010. And then the question comes -- after such a magnificent performance this year, does Watson get another exemption? Or does he get a handshake and sent off into that Scottish night?

5-Time British Open Champ turns it on at Turnberry [AP via Yahoo!]

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372 Comments

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  1. Lou.M.
    1. Posted by Lou.M. Fri Jul 17, 2009 3:58 pm EDT

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    Old is different today than it was 100 years ago. How old is this rule? Maybe they need to re-think it.
  2. Go Chargers
    2. Posted by Go Chargers Fri Jul 17, 2009 4:11 pm EDT

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    Go Tom, Win number 6
  3. qwestisthebest
    3. Posted by qwestisthebest Fri Jul 17, 2009 4:22 pm EDT

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    The rule is good. Tom just have a good day. Look at Tiger, he didn't make it.
  4. bgolfer146
    4. Posted by bgolfer146 Fri Jul 17, 2009 5:24 pm EDT

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    It's a terrible rule when you think about it Tom obviously can still be competitive. For what hes done for the game he deserves to play until he feels otherwise
  5. Kelly G
    5. Posted by Kelly G Fri Jul 17, 2009 5:46 pm EDT

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    bgolfer146,
    Thanks, my fingers were ready to write the very same words.
  6. Jim
    6. Posted by Jim Fri Jul 17, 2009 6:06 pm EDT

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    If you don't at least appreciate the wonderful fact of 59 year old Tom Watson leading the Open after 36 holes ....... there's something inherently wrong with you. Here's a guy whose reign as numero uno was unexpectedly short.... and I hope he wins ...hell, he has Barbara Nicklaus on his side .....
  7. Matthew P
    7. Posted by Matthew P Fri Jul 17, 2009 6:17 pm EDT

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    5 time winner Watson should be able to tell the R&A what to do!!!... He should be able to play as long as he is competitive and HE STILL WORKS AT HIS GAME. Speaking for which, they should boot Faldo and Norman... They can barely break 80 and don't practice anymore. +11 and +12., nearly last in the field. Time for them to move on in life.
  8. PingZinger
    8. Posted by PingZinger Fri Jul 17, 2009 6:32 pm EDT

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    It is a good rule and one the Masters should have adopted long-ago.. Although Tom is having a wonderful Championship, ANY Game has its share of 'old fellows' that never seem to know when to give it up. Living a DREAM round is one thing, Playing 4 competitive rounds is not possible. Majority of fans at Golf Tournaments in the 'States did not ever see Tom, Jack or Arnie play competitive rounds of Golf, they only have seen them drudging around Championship Tournaments looking like they clearly don't belong. I have to beleive that they would much rather the young fan remember them for thier great accomplishments than 'the old guy at the tournament'. It seems to take the shine off their OUTSTANDING achievements.
  9. melwood111
    9. Posted by melwood111 Fri Jul 17, 2009 6:33 pm EDT

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    Talk about age discrimination--please, this rule is ridiculous. Any 3 time Open winner ought to be exempt for life(Watson has 5). If you earn your way in you should be allowed to play at any age or any gender!
  10. Honorio S
    10. Posted by Honorio S Fri Jul 17, 2009 6:40 pm EDT

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    Let us go back in time. Re-live the old good times. Tom Watson can bring us back in time for once in our life.
  11. Go Chargers
    11. Posted by Go Chargers Fri Jul 17, 2009 6:49 pm EDT

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    Next year Boycott the (British) Open. One can see some damn good golf from the old guys.
  12. Jeff B
    12. Posted by Jeff B Fri Jul 17, 2009 7:00 pm EDT

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    I think we should all just table this discussion until Monday morning.
  13. firenice3229
    13. Posted by firenice3229 Fri Jul 17, 2009 7:07 pm EDT

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    golf has rules for a reason. that is what makes this sport the best in the world.
  14. bigredcornhuskerfootball
    14. Posted by bigredcornhuskerfootball Fri Jul 17, 2009 7:10 pm EDT

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    Age should not matter, can you play and yes; Tom Watson can still play. But, that should be for Watson to decide and I am sure he will probably do this one and one more. He respects the traditions and that is their rule.
  15. Tico76
    15. Posted by Tico76 Fri Jul 17, 2009 7:17 pm EDT

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    This is clearly age discrimination and it was written for a different time and era. People are stronger and healthier now. There will come a time when we see people very active into their 80's and 90's. Plus another point GOLF IS A NON ATHLETIC SPORT - Not very physically demanding so why not let anyone compete come on!!!!! It is not like the guy is trying to be a Quarterback, Pitcher, Michael Jordan, or Pele. It is GOLF the least physically demanding sport other than fishing.
  16. J Mascis rocks!
    16. Posted by J Mascis rocks! Fri Jul 17, 2009 7:17 pm EDT

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    If he plays well enough to be in the top 5 or 10 at 59 years, let him play. It he is shooting in the low 100's, then the rule is good. Go Tom, Go! I am cheering for you!
  17. Fourmorebeers
    17. Posted by Fourmorebeers Fri Jul 17, 2009 7:19 pm EDT

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    If he qualifies he plays. The Masters is a joke for having exemptions for life, its already restricted field is narrowed by giving the old duffers a stage which they should not have.
    The Masters is an invitation event and is lucky to be called a Major for that reason, Open Championships are open precisely because they restrict their invitations.
  18. Dan the Obliviousman
    18. Posted by Dan the Obliviousman Fri Jul 17, 2009 7:26 pm EDT

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    If Watson has won it five times,he should be able to play in it as long as he desires.
    They might be Ancient,but they are not Royal if they invoke this. :(
  19. Bushwood
    19. Posted by Bushwood Fri Jul 17, 2009 7:28 pm EDT

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    watson is my hero
  20. Bushwood
    20. Posted by Bushwood Fri Jul 17, 2009 7:29 pm EDT

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    i love how many stands they have at the british. more pga events should have the BIG stands on every hole. Great theater
  21. GEORGE R
    21. Posted by GEORGE R Fri Jul 17, 2009 7:33 pm EDT

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    Go Tom !
  22. Joseph M
    22. Posted by Joseph M Fri Jul 17, 2009 7:33 pm EDT

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    Age should have absolutely nothing to do with it. It's not an AGE tournament, it's a golf tournament. He obviously can play at a world class level. That should be the only determination. Go Tom
  23. Dick H.
    23. Posted by Dick H. Fri Jul 17, 2009 7:34 pm EDT

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    Hey Fourmorebeers, you are almost as stupid as a box of owl droppings. Your last sentence makes you incredibly ignorant. Moron.
  24. a realist
    24. Posted by a realist Fri Jul 17, 2009 7:35 pm EDT

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    It's a stupid rule. I know a lot of guys in their early 60's who do weight training 3 times a week and cardio at least twice a week. They have better body mass results than guys I know who are in their 20's. Lance Armstrong is 37 and considered an antique in the Tour de France and he's in 3rd place. Change the rule to 65.
  25. BossMan
    25. Posted by BossMan Fri Jul 17, 2009 7:38 pm EDT

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    I love it when us ole geezers kick that young booty. Go Tom!!!

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