Tom Watson at the 2009 Open Championship
The 138th Open Championship - Final Round © Getty Images
In 2009 Tom Watson, who at that time was 59 years old, was a shot from winning his ninth major title. What was remarkable is that he has won his eight major 26 years ago in 1983. The World Golf Hall of Fame member was only one of the four golfers to finish under par at windy Turnberry. Watson needed par on the last to claim his sixth Open Championship, but bogeyed the hole after his second shot rolled of the green and he was not able to get up and down from there in two. As a result Watson dropped to two under par and had to go out on the course alongside Stewart Cink to determine the winner at the 138th Open Championship. At the playoff the 59 years old Watson looked out of steam and played the four extra holes six shots worse than Stewart Cink. The miracle didn't happen this time, but Watson proved that the age is just a number in golf and it is a matter of time a 50+ golfer to win a regular major.
Greg Norman at the 2008 Open Championship
Greg Norman of Australia in action at the 2008 Open Championship © Getty Images
In 2008 Greg Norman returned to the Open after he has missed the last two editions of the tournament. At that time 53 years old, Norman was already almost retired and has concentrated on his business, not his playing career. Nobody was expecting anything special from the former world number one, but after rounds of 70-70-72 he was at the top of the leaderboard with two-shot lead before the final round at Royal Birkdale. The Great White Shark bogeyed his first three holes on his way to final round 77 which sent him to nine over par and shared third place on the final leaderboard. This was Norman's first top 10 major finish since 1999 which is not bad for a "retired" golfer.
Phil Mickelson at the 2021 PGA Championship
PGA Championship 2021 - Round Three © Getty Images
This story is not written yet. The evergreen Mickelson will tee of in the final group at the 103rd PGA Championship with one-shot lead over 20 years younger Brooks Koepka. Mickelson, who won his first PGA Tour title 30 years ago, found some inspiration at the Kiawah Island this week and will try to win his sixth major title. The last time Mickelson was in the mix in a major was at the 2016 when he and Henrik Stenson produced one of the greatest battles in history of golf, won by the Swede. If Mickelson claimed the title today he will become the oldest golfer to win a major.
