Tom Watson, Tiger Woods bring excitement to fans at British Open

LYTHAM ST. ANNES, England -- The British Open fans who got a good bleacher seat Friday, settled in and waited for some final-hole excitement on No. 18 were rewarded late in the day, with dramatics by marque players Tiger Woods and Tom Watson.

Woods, a three-time British Open winner playing in the group directly ahead of the Watson, 62, and a five-time Open winner, hit his approach shot into a greenside bunker and popped it out and in. That sent the crowd into a frenzy and brought Woods nicely in reach of leaders Brandt Snedeker (10 under par) and Adam Scott (nine under).

Woods’ birdie chip-in got him to six under, and he celebrated with a signature Woods fist-pump.

Just minutes later, Watson stood over a 30-foot birdie putt on the same green. He had just missed a near-gimme par putt on No. 17 to put himself in danger near the cutline at four over par. Then he rolled in the 30-footer, nicely bent right to left and turning into the cup at the last moment.

That got him back to three over and a likely spot in the field over the weekend. It also sent the crowd into a frenzy again.

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