By V. Krishnaswamy. Europe, 10:01 PM IST

It is exactly 25 years since Tom Watson, now 58, won the fifth of his five British Open titles and that, too, at the same Royal Birkdale. The course may no longer be the same as it was in 1983, when he won it, but Watson did make a perfect start to his championship with a birdie at the first hole. Playing an eventful round, he had three birdies for his four-over 74 that really did not look too bad on a day when scoring was really tough. Also shooting a 74 was Justin Rose whose amazing fourth place finish in 1998 at the same venue had first marked him out as a player of great promise.

By V. Krishnaswamy (Staff Writer, © IANS)