At The Lakes, he was both metronomical and economical in the consistency of his swing and ball striking, despite not being at all well for the entire week. His short game remains sharp and was a critical factor in ensuring he made the cut for the weekend late in round two.
Over the final three holes, he chipped stone dead for par, holed a 40-foot birdie putt and scrambled for par from a deep bunker to shoot four-under 68, the joint best round of the day.
His putting stroke, in particular, looked more solid than the nervous action he was employing to largely great effect to nearly claim that sixth Open Championship three years ago.
Not that Watson was particularly happy with his performance, in Sydney or during the previous week at Sun City. When asked what a ‘pass mark’ was for him at this stage of his career, his reply of: “Better than I did now,” illustrates the high standards he maintains – perhaps the most crucial element to his longevity.
"The even rounds [68 and 69 on days two and four] are what’s good,” he continued. “There’ll be some more practice sessions to help get the ball on the clubface a little more consistently so I can still compete. Not hitting the ball solidly is the thing that concerns me. I’ve always been pretty good hitting it on the clubface. Hitting it fat, hitting it thin, mis-hitting a lot, that gives you cause for concern.
"I got a little bit closer today I thought, but it’s not there yet.”
Walking with Watson and his pro-am group on Wednesday with not more than 20 other spectators, I marvelled at his ball striking in the 40km wind conditions and was left in awe at the quality of a 3-iron struck unerringly into the gale and into the hole for an eagle two on the tough par-4 16th.
By this point, he had well and truly won over his playing partners with his good grace and generosity as much as his play. Despite looking pretty unwell, Watson unfailingly assisted each of his amateur partners with every shot – club selection, chipping and reading the lines on putts.
To me, this was in stark contrast to other professionals who were seen striding a hundred metres ahead of their partners as if they were infected with the plague.
Playing with Watson, former Australian cricket great Ian Healy told me that “Tom had fixed me” off the tee, and was shaking his head at the great man’s play. Fellow partner Geoff Merrill – the noted Australian winemaker – looked to have completely abdicated every decision about his own round to Watson by the turn, with good effect.
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