The British Open runner-up Tom Watson has thanked his 'great friend' and former rival Jack Nicklaus for calling him after he went agonisingly close to becoming golf's oldest major champion at Turnberry.
Nicklaus and Watson famously battled out the 1977 British Open at the same Scottish course which Watson won in a tournament that became known as the 'Duel in the Sun'.
Watson says Nicklaus told him he ouldn't have played the 18th hole any better. It just wasn't there.
The 59-year-old held a one-stroke lead going into the 72nd hole but hit his approach through the green and took three to get down for a bogey five, forcing a play-off which he lost to another American, Stewart Cink.
He says Nicklaus told him he was so intrigued by the action that he watched the entire last round from his Florida home, the first time he's ever watched all 18 holes of any golf tournament.
