Tom Watson

Tom Watson gave the British Open a blast of nostalgia on Thursday morning by shooting a 65 to grab the lead in the middle of the first round at Turnberry, prompting people to remember his five Open championships or perhaps his legendary battle on this course with Jack Nicklaus for one of those victories in 1977. “The body’s a little bit old, but the enthusiasm out there was very similar,” Watson said, still grinning after his round. “What a wonderful day to play.”

On his rare errant shots Thursday, Watson slashed his way out of the flowing grass in the rough with confidence. He started strong, with birdies on the first and third holes and played a bogey-free round. Turnberry counts on the weather to provide much of its difficulty, with wind reliably howling off the ocean, but this Open started amid lovely, almost placid weather, leaving the first round vulnerable to low scores as the wind stayed still.

The calm conditions meant that the cheers for Watson, who drew roars for every birdie and a rousing standing ovation when he walked up the 18th fairway, did not have to compete with the howls of wind. “We were fortunate to play in front of him, so we could watch a few holes and heard the roar when he made birdies,” said Steve Stricker, who shot a 66 to trail Watson by one. “It’s an incredible feat. To still be playing this kind of golf when you’re that old, is great.”