AUGUSTA, Ga. — Two of his contemporaries — Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus — opened play with ceremonial tee shots at this 74th Masters at Augusta National Golf Club.
Tom Watson played the first round and is closer to planning the annual champions dinner than retirement.
Watson, a two-time Masters champ who lost in a playoff in last year’s British Open, continued his time warp with a bogey-free, 5-under masterpiece. His 67 matched his lowest Masters round and has him one shot behind leader Fred Couples.
“Well, tied for first,” Watson said on where this round ranked in his 36 previous Masters. “It’s all about the score. Actually the 67 I shot in 1977 to win, that was awfully special.”
The 60-year-old Watson overcame some “questionable” iron play with a deft touch. He managed to get up and down on holes 10 through 14, including saving par on the par-five 13th after hitting his second shot in the water.
It’s another rejuvenation not unlike his his turn-back-the-clock effort at Turnberry last July, but did anyone see this coming again from a guy who has not made the cut here since 2002?
“Well, no. And yes,” said Lee Westwood, who is tied with Watson and three others in second. “I was lucky enough to partner with him in the Dubai Desert Classic Par 3, and just getting that close to him and seeing how well he swings the club and how well he strikes the ball. So it’s no surprise really.”
Watson took advantage of what he called scoring conditions with a hot driver, a pretty sharp 7-iron that set up three of his five birdies and a solid putter.
“They wanted some scores shot in the first round, there’s not a question,” said Watson, one of 31 of the 96 players to break par Thursday. “The golf course is receptive today. I took advantage of that.”
Whether he remains in contention through the weekend, it’s already been a memorable week for Watson. With the help of Augusta National chairman Billy Payne and the club, Watson’s son got engaged last Sunday during a practice round on the 13th hole.
“His bride-to-be didn’t know anything about it,” Watson said. “Everybody was in on the scam, including Mr. Payne; from the top down, everybody knew. That started the week off very nicely.”
With Michael carrying his bag this week, Watson has delivered flashes that the end of this week could be just as enjoyable. Watson credits his son for some extra motivation through the week, and Michael even told some reporters, “I think he’s out here to win, not just make the cut.”
“I think a big part of my success today was having my son on the bag,” the elder Watson said. “He said, ‘Dad, show me. Show me you can still play this golf course.’
“You know what, I wanted to show him I can still play.”