ST ANDREWS, Scotland, July 17 (Reuters) - The twilight of Tom Watson's storied 40-year British Open career came in the twilight.
It was 9:48 p.m. on Friday when Watson, winner of the Open five times though never at St. Andrews, walked off the 17th green to loud cheers -- "We love you, Tom" -- from a sparse crowd.
On the 18th tee the 65-year-old Watson asked his two playing partners, Ernie Els and Brandt Snedeker, whether they wanted to play the final hole as darkness fell. Both men said yes. They teed off in the gloaming.
The players and caddies stopped on the Swilcan Bridge for the traditional parting wave from a retiring golf hero, and the crowd responded with still-louder cheers.