Watson reeling in the years

DOES anyone remember a calmer, more peaceful and respectful time in golf before fire hydrants became as hazardous on tour as the Island hole at TPC Sawgrass?

The unravelling of Tiger Woods’s personal life in front of a watching world these last few weeks may have clouded our perspective but let us not forget one of the more positive, uplifting and welcoming contributions to a golfing year full of surprises.

A look at the list of major winners in 2009, from Angel Cabrera to Y E Yang, is proof that form and ranking are sometimes no guide at all when it comes to the most important tournaments of the year. Yet the story of what might have been at this year’s Open Championship at Turnberry could well prove the most telling example of all.