Nicklaus and Watson back together again at Open

Courtesy of AFP

Jack Nicklaus will play his final competitive rounds of golf at the British Open here this week in the company of old rival Tom Watson.

It was 28 years ago that the two Americans produced the glorious "Duel in the Sun" at the 1977 Turnberry Open when they played the two closing rounds together trading birdie for birdie.

Watson was the victor on that occasion lifting the Auld Claret Jug for the second of five times but both will be remembered equally for the supreme quality of the golf on display.

The 65-year-old Nicklaus is bowing out at the Old Course he reveres so much and where he won two of his Open titles in 1970 and 1978 and to pair him off with Watson will be a popular choice.

Former St Andrews Open champion Nick Faldo for one believes that Nicklaus still has enough game in him to play in all four rounds avoiding Friday evening's cut when the 156-strong field is halved.

"He's playing solid enough," said the Englishman after completing a full round of practice with Nicklaus.

"He's got a couple of days to keep at it, but he knows what he's doing out there. I definitely think he could make the cut."

Nicklaus also was not ruling out one last roar from the Golden Bear.

Asked if he planned to be around for the weekend, Nicklaus replied: "I certainly hope so. That's why I came over."

Watson won the 1977 Open at Turnberry in a memorable duel with Nicklaus.

"If I thought I couldn't play on the weekend, I wouldn't have come over in the first place. It doesn't mean I will though. I'll probably go and shoot 85 now."

Joining Nicklaus and Watson for what will be an emotional first two rounds will be Luke Donald, the young Englishman who is viewed as being the best hope of providing a first home win since Paul Lawrie at Carnoustie in 1999.

Tournament favourite Tiger Woods will go out on Thursday at 0720 GMT with Robert Allenby of Australia and Spain's Jose Maria Olazabal who only made it into the championship after his mentor and former winner Severiano Ballesteros withdrew.

Out at the crack of dawn Monday for his second practice round, Woods, was a clear winner the last time the Open came to St Andrews five years ago.

Woods was the first player on the Old Course at 6.30am, alongside 1998 champion Mark O'Meara and Jim Furyk.

In perfect conditions the world number one raced round in three-and-a-half hours, considerably quicker than he will be able to manage when the championship gets underway on Thursday.

Accompanied as ever by three of his own bodyguards and two police officers, Woods then chatted briefly with Nicklaus on the clubhouse steps before he set out for his own practice round.

The 29-year-old world No.1 then headed for the practice putting green beside the first tee with caddie Steve Williams.

Woods won by eight shots the last time the Open was staged here in 2000, setting a record total of 19 under par.

Other top groupings in the draw see last year's winner Todd Hamilton go out with Retief Goosen of South Africa and England's Lee Westwood, while 2002 winner Ernie Els is joined by Ulsterman Darren Clarke and American veteran Fred Funk.

Phil Mickleson goes out with colourful Englishman Ian Poulter and another member of the strong South African brigade Trevor Immelman.

The usual rash of last-minute withdrawals Monday saw the door open for last year's victorious Ryder Cup captain Bernhard Langer, Sweden's Fredrik Jacobson, and England's Brian Davis.

They replace the injured Shingo Katayama of Japan, Jay Haas of the United States and David Howell of England.