What I learned from Turnberry

What I took away from the British Open at Turnberry, among a lot of different emotions, is a real hurt that I did not finish the job. That's the bottom line in any game you play. I hit two good shots on the 72nd hole, and it didn't work out. That can happen in links golf. What I took away between the British and U.S. Senior Opens is bad plumbing. I had a meal over there, and my caddie, Neil Oxman, had warned me: Don't eat Chinese or pizza in the United Kingdom. I went Chinese.

NEIL WAS WORKING for Labron Harris Jr. when he introduced me to Bruce [Edwards, Watson's longtime caddie who died of ALS in 2004] in St. Louis in 1973. Neil pointed Bruce my way, and we formed a long-lasting relationship. Bruce was looking down on Turnberry. I know that. That was part of the spiritual experience over there: Let's give it one more ride, Tom. One more ride they won't forget, boss, before you head off into the sunset.

SERGIO GARCIA was in our threesome on Thursday and Friday. In the second round, after a first round when there was no wind, I knew going out on the front nine would be difficult. I didn't handle it real well. Sergio came over and said, "C'mon, old man" -- in a nice way -- right when I was struggling. That helped get me going.

EVEN WITH THE LEAD Saturday, I wasn't jumping out of my skin. I kept my tee ball in play, which you have to do over there. I'm not as good off tight lies as I used to be. I hit it thinner sometimes now. But my go-to punch was my tee ball, and I felt confident about that during practice rounds. I've always been a good wind player. You don't lose that. You lose other things maybe, not that.

I REMEMBERED what Greg Norman had done the year before, when he led the British Open by a stroke at the turn Sunday. I was telecasting for ABC. I said there was no reason he couldn't do well. I was supposed to do the same TV job at Turnberry on the weekend but was otherwise occupied. When you're in the last group, there's not a lot of chance to be in the booth.

I SLEPT FINE Saturday night, before the final round. My game plan was to make one more birdie than bogey over the last 18 holes. I thought that would have done the job, and it would have, but I didn't pull it off. I made two more bogeys than birdies. I was nervous on Sunday, but nothing out of the ordinary. It was a good nervous. Saturday was the day that was interesting. As gentle a round as I've ever played in a major, as far as what I felt inside. I made a joke after the round that my nerves were fried, but that's just what it was, a joke.

I'VE HEARD that on Sunday, Mathew Goggin was clapping for me as we came to the 72nd green in the last twosome. Then, apparently, Stewart Cink did the same on No. 18 in the playoff. Didn't see it. Just heard about it. That just tells you, it's all about the game, not me. Our sport is unique in that way, the conduct of our players and the respect for the game. Jack Nicklaus has always had the reputation of being a great loser -- in the good sense. If you get beat, you tip your hat to the guy who beat you, just as he did with me in 1977 at Turnberry. If you can't do that, there's something wrong with you. A lot of sports are dog-eat-dog, but golf is different. This is our job -- we try to whip the other guy -- but it's different.

PEOPLE SAID I was smiling a lot, maybe more than any other player. How could you not, with the reception I was getting at every green?

ONE DO-OVER? I'd probably hit the 8-iron easier to the 72nd. I had 170 yards to the front, 164 to the right front, where you didn't want to go because the green runs out to the right. So I hit it at the flag. Didn't really see it because I can't see anymore, but Andy North [ABC commentator] said it hit one foot on the green. You'd think I could stop it, but that crest was probably the driest part of the green.

FROM THE COLLAR behind the 18th hole on Sunday, I went with the theory that your worst putt is better than your worst chip -- even with the success I've had chipping. The ball was sitting down; I could have stubbed a sand wedge and left it short. It was uphill and into the wind; the grain was against me. Problem is, the ball started bouncing. It came out of that lie bouncing, and hot.

MOST DISAPPOINTING was the putt to win in regulation. During Monday's practice round, I made a slight adjustment in my putting stroke. I wanted to make sure I went more square to square. For the most part, I kept that thought throughout the week, and that's what I was trying to think on the eight-footer on Sunday: Square to square; do what you've been doing; think what you've been thinking. But I took the club a little inside and never did get it in position. I blocked it with my left hand. Never released. Went right. Awful. I said I didn't want to see a replay, but maybe I should, so I don't do that again next time. Awful.