KEY POINTS:
Sir Bob Charles had a senior moment yesterday and came within 30 seconds of missing one of the most remarkable comebacks in New Zealand's sporting history.
The 71-year-old, who was given an emotional farewell three years ago when retiring from the New Zealand Open, defied the years to make the cut for this year's centennial open at The Hills and probably set some world records at the same time.
But the fairytale return was almost scuttled when Sir Bob went to the wrong tee (No 1) for his 8am start and, after a desperate trip across the course, made it to the 10th just in time.
"Oh well, I'm entitled to be forgetful at my age," he chuckled later.
"We had to get transportation out there [to the 10th] and we almost had to put a gun to the guy's [van driver] head to get us there; he wanted to go in another direction but, anyway, he finally got me there with 30 seconds to spare."
Despite the rushed trip, Sir Bob made the perfect start to the round with a birdie 2 from 4m and, as he said, just kept rolling the putts in, making four more birdies and an eagle 3 on the par 5 first to shoot a four under 68.
Although officials could not confirm it yesterday, it's thought Sir Bob's effort to make the cut at 71 years of age is either a European Tour or even world record. Sir Bob wasn't sure either, but there was no mistaking just how proud he was feeling about the achievement.
"Yes, I'm very happy; it looks like I've made the cut and at this stage of my career about all you look forward to is making the cut and playing all four days of a tournament.
"And, to beat my age by 3 shots is also pleasing ... if I can break my age these days I'm quite delighted."
Asked if he had taken a risk by opting to play in the tournament he has already won four times, the first as a teenage amateur 53 years ago at Heretaunga, Sir Bob conceded he had not wanted to come to The Hills and embarrass himself.
But even though he had not played competitively since August when he shot a 73 at Pebble Beach, California, he was quietly confident his practice form, especially several rounds at The Hills, would hold true.
"Getting out there the old adrenalin starts to flow with the competition and, well, I almost felt young again there today; I felt 30 years younger; the competition does get me fired up I suppose and the way the golf course played helped me considerably."
Appropriately, considering Sir Bob has always been regarded as one of the world's great putters, it was his skill with the flat stick yesterday which pulled him through the field after a windblown 3 over 75 on Thursday.
Sir Bob counted just 25 putts yesterday, compared with 31 on the first day, a display that caused him to discard a flash new putter and resort to his favourite Bulls eye putter, which he has used since 1990.
"Yes, the big difference was the putting today. I was making everything and beyond and yesterday I couldn't make a putt from any distance."
Asked for the main reasons why he decided to play he said he was aware that the likely field was not going to be "all that startling".
"So, I thought by playing it would give you people [the media] something to write about." Right again, Sir Bob.
- Otago Daily Times
