Tiger Woods misses British Open cut

By Tony Jimenez

TURNBERRY (Reuters) - Tom Watson is ready to rip up the record books after defying his 59 years to tie the lead in the British Open on Friday while world number one Tiger Woods missed the second-round cut.

Veteran Watson regained the putting touch that won eight majors in his prime and danced a jig of delight after rolling in a 50-foot birdie putt for a level-par 70 to join fellow American Steve Marino (68) on 135, five under par.

On a day when 25-mph (40-kph) winds and intermittent rain made scoring tough, Woods missed the cut in a major championship for only the second time as a professional as he slumped to a 74 for 145, five over.

Mark Calcavecchia (69) struck another blow for the over-40s to take third spot on 136, one ahead of Briton Ross Fisher (68), South African Retief Goosen (70), Miguel Angel Jimenez (73) of Spain, Japan's Kenichi Kuboya (72) and Vijay Singh (70) of Fiji.

It was Watson, though, who proved the darling of the crowds at the picturesque coastal venue where he eclipsed Jack Nicklaus in the famous 1977 'Duel in the Sun'.

"I am still a little emotional," Watson told reporters. "It is as if the spirits are on my side."

Asked if he was beginning to think a sixth British Open victory was a realistic prospect, he replied: "I wouldn't be here if I didn't think I could win."

Many pundits doubted the American could reproduce the fireworks he lit in a stunning 65 on Thursday but how he proved them wrong.