WRAPUP 1-Golf-Open-Watson grabs spotlight as Jimenez sets pace

* Five-times champion Watson fires flawless 65

* Jimenez takes charge with birdie-birdie finish

* Out-of-sorts Woods battles to 71

By Mark Lamport-Stokes

TURNBERRY, Scotland, July 16 (Reuters) - Tom Watson, the oldest player in the field, spectacularly rolled back the years with an inspired display commanding the spotlight at the British Open on Thursday.

Taking advantage of ideal scoring conditions on the Ailsa Course, the 59-year-old fired a flawless five-under-par 65 to end the opening round a stroke behind pacesetting Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez.

While triple champion and heavy favourite Tiger Woods struggled to a 71, Watson produced the ball-striking and links-course creativity that helped him lift the prized Claret Jug on five occasions.

He covered the back nine in three-under 32 to finish level with fellow American Ben Curtis, the 2003 champion, and Japan's Kenichi Kuboya who ended his round with an explosive birdie-birdie-eagle-birdie run.