FanHouse Mathew Goggin

Twenty-one-year-old Englishman Chris Wood earned his European Tour card prior to the 2009 season. A few months before, the then-amateur, making his first British Open appearance, tied for fifth at Royal Birkdale.

Twelve months later, Wood is again on the first page of the leaderboard at the Open Championship. And now, following four steady-as-she-goes rounds at Turnberry, Wood is the leader in the clubhouse. After a 3-under final 18 -- the best round of the day by two strokes -- Wood is at 1-under for the week, currently two back of leaders Lee Westwood, Mathew Goggin and Tom Watson.

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He's 59. Fifty-nine. He isn't supposed to be leading the British Open. Hell, Tom Watson isn't supposed to be contending in the SENIOR British Open at this point, but there he is, at 4-under par with 18 holes left to have his name engraved for the sixth time on the famed Claret Jug.

He's the John McCain of this championship, hoping that for a second, golf will forget the number of years he's been around and just focus on his incredible ball-striking and wonderful lag putting that has him above guys half his age. On Saturday at Turnberry, Watson shot a 1-over 71 in windy conditions to keep himself above the pack at this very different Open Championship.

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