He hardly came up short
Alex Altman is a feature writer for The Public Record, a Palm Springs, Calif.-based newspaper, who recounts Tom Watson's loss at the British Open on Sunday through the eyes of Ernest Thayer, the author of "Casey at the Bat":
WATSON AT THE LINKS
"The outlook wasn't brilliant for a man of 59
"In a field stacked with contenders still in bloom of youthful prime.
"But when Watson striped a driver down the fairway at 18,
"Eternal youth seemed for an instant more than just a dream.
"On Thursday Tommy shocked the world by shooting 65,
"And Friday's rally from a dismal front nine kept our hopes alive.
"A roller-coaster weekend had its share of ups and downs,
"But through wind and rain and waist-high rough, Tom gave up no ground.
"Seventy-one holes in the books with only one to play,
"And a simple par was all required for Tom to win the day.
"But pars are never simple on Turnberry's fabled links,
"And dropping just a single stroke would tie his score with Cink's.
"On the tee at the 18th his nerves were solid rock.
"His shoulder turn was youthful; his swing turned back the clock.
"And when his drive had come to rest on fairway's grassy rug,
"A single well-placed iron meant he'd hoist the claret jug.
"Now a tumult from the gallery swept across the Firth of Clyde,
"Bounded off the Isle of Arran and back through the countryside.
"From the youngest of the spectators to oldest grizzled Scot,
"Came the following invocation: "Oh Tom, just one more shot!"
" 'Eight or nine?" he debated, and settled on the eight,
"Then struck his ball and left the rest to the too-cruel hand of fate.
"High and squarely at the flag the dimpled spheroid flew,
"But though it landed on the green, alas, it bounded through.
"The ball trickled to a rest on an awkward piece of ground.
"Between fringe and second-cut it stopped, no easy up-and- down.
"The Texas Wedge was in his hand, the time was do or die,
"The too-firm lag then missed the hole and hustled 8 feet by.
"Now upon that stricken multitude there fell a ghastly pall.
"As when brave Hector met Achilles and his tragic fall.
"Watson quietly finds his line, onlookers hushed and grave.
"How different from a day before when he'd bid them do the wave!
"It all comes down to just 8 feet, and one more putt to make.
"The greatest achievement in our sport was there for him to take.
"His eyes shone like an eagle's, as he calmly pursed his lips
"And the world learned the hard way: Even heroes get the yips.
"The playoff: tragic epilogue to Watson's great achievement.
"Tom struggled with shots sent awry; we with our bereavement.
"The natural order was restored, the old man showed his age.
"But we'll not forget the magic felt before history turned her page.
"Oh somewhere in this favored game balls never land in traps,
"And fathers oft defeat their sons without aid of handicaps.
"But though there is no joy at Turnberry, I am sorry to report,
"Watson may have come in second, but he hardly came up short."
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