Watson, widely regarded as the greatest Links Golf player, rolled in two birdies from 60 feet in the space of three holes, on the 16th and then the 18th-which quite appropriately was recently re-named 'Duel in the Sun' in honour Watson's win over Jack Nicklaus at the 1977 Open at Turnberry, which many regard as the finest Major ever.

As the crowd toasted Watson, who himself rallied from a mid-round collapse that saw him bogey four in a row from fifth to eighth, Woods was attempting to claw his way back from the brink with back-to-back birdies on the 16th and 17th. He needed yet another on the 18th, but fell short and was ready to make an earlier-than-planned exit from Turnberry on his private jet. Watson shared the lead with an Open Rookie, American Steve Marino. Watson followed his first round 65 with a 70 to be five-under 135 alongside Marino.

Playing in the company of Watson, Matteo Mannassero, the 16-year-old Italian prodigy, also made the cut and was the only amateur to do so at one-over 141.