By Ben James Jul 16, 2009, 20:08 GMT
Turnberry, Scotland - Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez was the party-pooper on Thursday as he denied five-times champion Tom Watson a fairytale share of the lead at the end of an eventful opening round of the 138th British Open at Turnberry.
Watson, who won at Turnberry in 1977 in what was called 'The Duel in the Sun' with Jack Nicklaus, set the early clubhouse lead on 5- under-par after a scintillating bogey-free 65.
The American was joined on 5-under by his compatriot and another former champion, Ben Curtis, but Jimenez trumped them both with a 6- under-par 64 that was completed when he holed a 65-foot birdie putt at the 18th hole.
That left him one clear of Watson and Curtis, with five players, including Colombia's Camilo Villegas, on 4-under and three and major winners Retief Goosen and Vijay Singh among those on 3-under.
Ireland's Padraig Harrington, chasing a third consecutive Open crown, fired a 69 but pre-tournament favourite Tiger Woods is seven shots back after an up-and-down 71.
In perfect conditions, the 59-year-old Watson turned the clock back 20 years as he played beautifully for his 5-under par 65.
Watson, whose last Claret Jug came in 1983, started his first round strongly, birdieing two of the opening three holes, followed by three further birdies on the back nine.
'It's not bad for an almost 60-year old,' said Watson. 'I played very well and kept the ball in play, and made a few putts.'
'I was playing very well in the practice rounds and I felt like I had a chance to do well this week.'
While Watson rolled back the years, an out of sorts Woods already lies seven shots off the lead after an erratic round that involved four bogeys and three birdies.
'I certainly made a few mistakes out there today,' Woods said. 'Realistically I probably should have shot about 1 or 2-under-par.
'Hopefully tomorrow I can play a little better, clean it up and put myself headed in the right direction.'
Colombia's Villegas also took full advantage of the benign conditions, reeling off birdies on the final three holes to card a 66, while Calcavecchia, winner of the British Open in 1989 at nearby Troon, registered just one bogey on his way to a 67.
'It was perfect, really as nice as you can get,' said Calcavecchia. 'The course couldn't possibly play any easier.'
But the best was reserved for last as Jimenez, still chasing his first major crown, rolled in a 65-foot monster at the last to pip Watson and Curtis for the lead.
The Spaniard had birdied the 17th to join the two Americans at the top of the leaderboard but then denied them at least a share of the lead with a stunning finish.
'I feel very well,' Jimenez said. 'Since I woke up this morning, the sea looked like a pond, so nice, so calm. You can't ask for a better day to play.
'I was very good from tee to green and with the putter. That's what you need to make a score.'
Harrington, who has been struggling with his game this year, was much more solid as he produced a 69 thanks to two birdies and just one bogey, at the par-four 16th.
Rising Irish star Rory McIlroy joined him on 69 after a rather more turbulent round, while Sergio Garcia finished level par and former champion David Duval was alongside Woods after a 71.
England's Lee Westwood and former champion John Daly each shot 68s, but veteran Australian Greg Norman, who finished third and was one of the stars of last year's event, struggled to a 77.
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