Watson Tied for 6th after Senior British Open 1st Round

Sports Betting News - July 23rd, 2009 - Written by Bruce

Tom Watson got off to a good start in the 2009 Senior British Open this week after a very disappointing finish a week ago. Watson shot a three under 67 on Thursday to put him in a tie for 6th place after the 1st Round. He is three shots back of leader Fred Funk who shot a six under 64 which set a record for the lowest opening round in Senior British Open history. All eyes were on Watson though to see how he would respond after a heartbreaking finish to last week's British Open Championship. It was very important for Watson to get off to a great start to his first round and he did just that. After the first five holes he was at an impressive three under and he went on to finish the rest of the round at level par to put him right in contention only three shots back.

Fred Funk played remarkable today putting him ahead by two shots going into Friday's 2nd Round. Funk closed his round on a tear as he birdied five of his last eight holes. In what was an amazing shot, Funk holed a bunker shot on the 17th hole capping off an impressive round of golf. Four golfers are tied for 2nd at -4 including Jay Haas and Loren Roberts. Tom Kite and Greg Norman are among a group of five players tied at -3 including of course Tom Watson. The reigning money winner this year on the Champions Tour, Bernhard Langer, was expected by many to be the favorite to win this week. He struggled through his first round and finished eight strokes back shooting a two over 72.

This year's Senior British Open got off to great start Thursday with many of the biggest names at the top of the leader board. Tom Watson will be looking to make up some ground on leader Fred Funk when Friday's 2nd Round gets under way. Watson has always enjoyed playing on links courses such as this week's Sunningdale Golf Course. Watson has won 5 British Open Championships and 3 Senior British Open Championships in his legendary career. He will look to add to that total and erase last week's disappointment as this week's championship continues.