With coolness channeled from a Scottish Highlander and a Paris cat burglar, Tom Watson stalked the course, gaining fans each day.  Who wouldn't cheer for their grandfather?  Everyone but Stewart Cink and family, that's who.

Tom Watson shocked everyone, especially the Tiger-centric media, by generating a playoff at the British Open. 

For this grand weekend, Watson grabbed the attention and adoration of the gallery, television fans and amazed media.  "What will we do now that you-know-who missed the cut!" screamed the media and front runner golf fans. 

At 59, Watson truly shocked the world, a phrase greatly overused, yet finally appropriate, without winning, but by surviving to the playoff.

Yes, Watson would have been a wonderfully 'experienced' champion.   The overuse of "geezer" and ABC's ability to show more commercials than shots was tiring.

Watson succeeded without cursing, club throwing, pouting or general 2-year-old actions. 

Watson's play was magnified by his ability to keep the ball on the fairway and drain long putts on rounds one thru three. 

Watson bogeyed away the lead on the 18^th as his ten foot putt yakked right and the tournament went to a four hole playoff with Stewart Cink. 

Playoff action:  The British Open playoff is the aggregate score from four holes, the 5^th, 6^th, 17^th and 18^th.  This uses the close proximity of the holes and three different par levels. 

The Open effectively ended on the 17^th as Watson's tee shot stayed left and it took Watson two shots to get out of the three foot tall rough. 

No one could have stopped Cink with his magnificent play on these four playoff holes as he won by six strokes.  Can you feel a bit of empathy for both players?  Watson for losing and Cink for being the "Oh, please don't let him win" guy?

We can only think of how Watson will carry this, forever, knowing how close he was to the Claret Jug, on his last possible entry to the British Open.  Don't worry, be happy Tom.  You gained a legion of new fans and a story that will last as long as Old Tom Morris.