American golfing legend and star Australian Open attraction Tom Watson was embarrassed after a turbulent first round left him facing an early exit at The Lakes.
The 63-year-old eight-times major champion showed glimpses of his brilliance but was erratic in testing winds as he carded a six-over-par 78 to leave him facing a huge challenge just to make the weekend cut.
Playing alongside defending champion Greg Chalmers (71) and Jake Higginbottom (74) in his first Open appearance in 27 years, Watson turned in a round with just about everything – four birdies, six bogeys and two double-bogeys.
“I’m embarrassed about the way I played – it was not up to my standards,” the 1984 Australian Open champion said.
“With four birdies, I shouldn’t shoot 78. I should be around par. That’s what embarrassing about it.
“There was some good shot-making out there for me but some bad moments too.
“I still feel I have the golf swing in me to hit a lot of quality shots tomorrow and I hope I can.”
Watson’s tournament was off to the worst possible start as his tee shot off the first, somewhat unluckily, trickled into the water. He made bogey.
“Knowing the golf course is paramount and I didn’t know that shot right there,” Watson said.
He made amends with a birdie on the third, set up by an excellent 205m approach, but his round unravelled as he dropped six shots in four holes between the fifth and the eighth.
However, Watson maintained his cool demeanour and pulled back three strokes with birdies on the 11th, 13th and 14th.
But he gave all three back over the closing holes, striking a spectator with a wayward drive off the 16th in the process.
Watson, not letting his round affect his good nature, apologised and gave the spectator a signed ball.
While Watson has battled a cold in recent days, he said he was feeling better and hoped to take advantage of some calmer conditions in an early start on Friday morning.
“I need a good start. I’m not in the game at the moment and I need to get in the game,” he said.