A Round with a Legend: Peter Thomson

Perhaps inspired by the memories of his success, Thomson finds another gear and we start winning holes. After being five down with only five to play, a Thomson birdie at the 14th after a delightful pitch, a solid par at the 15th and an unlikely birdie of my own at the 16th means we’ve clawed our way back into the match. Dormie two.
What happens next is vintage Thomson. At the 17th, a shortish par-3, he fires a beautifully flighted 5-iron that draws perfectly against a fade wind and lands just 10-feet from the hole. A solid par from Mailer means he needs to hole it to keep the match alive and he does, the ball dropping into the centre of the cup for the best birdie of the day. Dormie one.
It’s all set for a grandstand finish, and with the opposition in trouble and both of us safely on the green in regulation, a tied match is looking the most likely prospect. But then Mailer, from a terrible lie in a greenside bunker, plays a remarkable shot to seven feet and when neither Thomson nor I are successful with our birdie efforts, he sinks the putt for a half and a 1-up victory.
As we make our way back up the hill towards the clubhouse for some much-needed refreshment, I thank Thomson for the game and apologize for my ragged play.
“Nonsense,” he replies. “We nearly got them at the end there, but that’s beside the point. When you reach my age and can still take enjoyment out of the game that makes it a great day.”