'Old fogey almost did it' says Watson.

Byline: MARK GARROD

TOM WATSON reflected on his Open near-miss last night and reminded everybody: "This ain't a funeral, you know."

One ahead with one to play, the 59-year-old five-time champion was bitterly disappointed that he allowed the chance to become easily golf's oldest-ever Major champion to slip through his grasp at Turnberry.

Watson, who bogeyed the last and then was crushed by six shots by fellow American Stewart Cink in an anti-climactic four-hole play-off, said: "It would have been a hell of a story, wouldn't it? "It tears out your gut like it's always torn out my gut. It's not easy to take. I put myself in position to win and didn't do it.

"I hit a lousy putt and the play-off was one bad shot after another. Stewart did what he had to do and I didn't give him much competition.

"But what I take from this week is a lot of warmth - the crowds were just wonderful to me all week - and a lot of spirituality. And it was good fun."

Asked by a reporter what headline best summed it up Watson replied: "The Old Fogey Almost Did It."

Cink, meanwhile, described his first Major win as "a surreal experience" and paid tribute to Watson.

Cink said: "Extraordinary just tips the iceberg. Playing against Tom Watson, this stuff just does not happen.

"I grew up watching him - he has turned back the clock and I feel so happy just being part of it.

"I've just felt very calm all week. I played some links golf in Ireland last week and that was very good relaxation and preparation. I also found something in my swing."

It was his 14-foot birdie putt on the final green that gave Cink his chance to deny Watson, who 30 minutes later bogeyed the same hole to join him on two under par.

"It's the most crucial putt I've ever struck in my life - just a sweet feeling," Cink added.

England's Lee Westwood came within a putt of edging out both Cink and Watson. The Workshop golfer had an outside chance with his 80-foot birdie attempt at the 18th which, had it dropped, would have made him the first English winner of the Claret Jug since Nick Faldo in 1992 at Muirfield.

Criminally he raced it 10ft past and then could not hole the one coming back which would have given him a two-under total and put him into a three-way play-off.

Worse was to follow as he then had to watch on television as Watson missed his winning chance.

FACT "That makes it even worse. It's gone from frustration to sickness," was Westwood's reaction.

"It was a tricky two-putt at the last but I thought I had to hole it to be honest - I didn't see Tom bogeying the last as he is such an experienced guy."

1973 - Born Stewart Huntsville, Alabama. 1995 - Turns professional. 1997 - Joins PGA Tour Greater Hartford Open season to finish 29th list. 2000 - Wins MCI Classic US Presidents Cup team. 2001 - Finishes third at Southern Hills. 2007 - Finishes sixth Carnoustie.

2009 - Wins his first the Open Championship defeating 59-year-old a four-hole play-off.

Just over 12 months ago the 36-year-old entered the last day of the US Open Championship playing in the final group with world number one Tiger Woods, just one shot ahead, and matched his American opponent stroke for stroke.

Both had putts on the 18th green to reach a play-off with Rocco Mediate - Woods' dropped but Westwood's did not and Woods went on to win his 14th Major in the 18-hole shoot out.

FILE Cink, May 21,

However, to miss out in his 'home' event was more difficult to take.

and wins in his rookie on the money and plays on "I'm a shot out of the play-off on both. They are both pretty sickening but this is the Open Championship and it means the most to me," said the Ryder Cup star.

in the US Open in the Open at major title in at Turnberry, Tom Watson in "But I played great all week. Third place is not to be sniffed at, but it is disappointing really. I had a chance to win the Open, a great chance." LEADERBOARD: 2 under - Stewart Cink (USA) (Cink won the 4 hole play-off), Tom Watson (USA), 1 under - Lee Westwood, Chris Wood, level - Luke Donald, Mathew Goggin (Aus), Retief Goosen (Rsa), 1 over - Thomas Aiken (Rsa), Ernie Els (Rsa), Soren Hansen (Den), Richard S Johnson (Swe), Justin Leonard (USA).

CAPTION(S):

Stewart Cink holds the Claret Jug with Tom Watson (centre) looking on and leading amateur player Matteo Manassero