The 1977 Open saw Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus lock horns in what must surely
go down as one of the greatest Open Championships of all time. Turnberry was the
venue for this most thrilling of contests and by the end of three rounds there was
nothing to choose between the two protagonists thanks to identical rounds of 68,70 & 65.
Ben Crenshaw was the only other player to stay in touching distance at three strokes back
but he soon slipped out of contention on the final day as Watson and Nicklaus fought their
own private battle. In a stirring final round Watson finally edged ahead with a birdie at the
par-5 17th whilst Nicklaus missed a short putt for a birdie of his own. Watson sensibly played
safe with an iron off the tee on the 18th whilst Nicklaus,forced to go for broke,pushed his
drive to the right. When Watson nailed an exquisite short iron to two feet it seemed all over
but Nicklaus,ever the great competitor,made a miraculous birdie meaning Tom had to make
that tricky two footer. He held his nerve superbly and the man from Kansas City celebrated
his second Open triumph in what had been a truly memorable week of golf. Tom made his
Ryder Cup debut later that year and his first match was in partnership with that man Nicklaus
as they brushed aside Tommy Horton/Mark James 5&4. He was also victorious in the day two
four-balls in partnership with Hubert Green but went down by one hole to young Nick Faldo
in the last day singles as the Americans enjoyed an easy 12-7 win. (David Scranage)