The eight-time golf major winner was spotted playing at the ‘birthplace of the Open’

One of golf’s greatest players has been spotted playing on a course that is second only to St Andrews for the sport.

It is often referred to as the birthplace of The Open – due to the fact that it hosted the first edition of this famous tournament.

6

6

6

It was not staged at the Old Course at St Andrews until 1873 ChampionshipsAnd for the 12 years prior to that it was held at its original site at Prestwick in Ayrshire.

Just five miles from this year’s venue, Royal TroonThe Open has not been held on this famous links course for almost a century.

The legendary Old Tom Morris designed the course and was the greenkeeper in its early days – when it had twelve holes instead of the standard 18.

And another legend of the game, Tom Watson, has been spotted taking a round at Prestwick during a visit to Scotland ahead of the Open next month.

Watson, 74, has lifted the Claret Jug five times in his career and came close to a shocking sixth at the age of 59 when he finished second to Stewart Cink in a play-off on Turnberry’s iconic Ailsa course.

Americans are big fans of the lynx GolfRanking courses such as Royal Dornoch, Ballybunion and Pebble beach One of his favorites.

Prestwick Gold Club shared a Video Watson is shown hitting a shot on the 17th hole and posing for some photos in the historic clubhouse.

Watson would have approved of – or enjoyed – several distinctive features of this course. features and challenges, as well as spectacular views across the Firth of Clyde to the Aran Islands, as well as Prestwick beach.

The Pow River or Pow Burn River flows through here. Property and forms a natural barrier on many holes.

Ryder Cup 2031 in Girona, pending the new government of the Generalitat

High sand dunes, tricky ruts and even an intimidating 50-yard bunker on the third hole called the Cardinal instill fear in many golfers.

The main challenge in any links course hasn’t been mentioned – the weather.

And the weather during Watson’s visit was typically Scottish, with rays of sun blazing across the ground. Sky but the wind blows coast Making things difficult.

Watson however said after his visit: “Prestwick is a true links golf course, running exactly the way a traditional and historic course should run.”

Despite originally having a 12-hole layout, Prestwick was extended to 18 holes in 1882, but its odd layout eventually caused it to suffer somewhat.

In 1925, as the Open grew in popularity, the crowd became increasingly difficult to control on the cramped grounds and there were problems keeping the fans under control.

The marshals had difficulty controlling the large number of punters and this affected not only the pace of the game, but also a number of shots, and thus the outcome of the championship.

Press reports at the time said Prestwick would be lucky to host the Open again and that prediction proved true 99 years ago.

6

6

6

Keep up to date with all the latest news and transfers on the Scottish Sun football page