Tom Watson feeds off golden memories at Pebble Beach

Back at the venue where he clinched one of his greatest major victories, Tom Watson has wallowed in nostalgic memories with some inspired golf in this week's US Open at Pebble Beach.    

US Open champion here in 1982 when he famously chipped in from gnarly rough to birdie the 17th, Watson sank four birdies in difficult scoring conditions on the way to a one-under-par 70 in Saturday's third round.

The 60-year-old American, who played Pebble Beach countless times while studying psychology at Stanford University, was given standing ovations by the crowds as he made his way around the spectacular coastal layout. 

"It warms me," Watson told reporters of the crowd support after posting a six-over total of 219. "I have a lot of history in this area and there are a lot of people from California that I''ve known over the years." 

Watson produced one of the most gripping finishes of all time with his chip-in for birdie from clinging rough behind the par-three 17th to assure victory over Jack Nicklaus at the 1982 Open championship. 

"I can draw on a lot of experience here," the tousle-haired American said after covering the front nine in two-under 33. "But I still make the mistake of not hitting the right club on a few shots here because the ego gets in the way.

Although Watson bogeyed two of the last four holes to slip back to six over for the tournament, he had good reason to smile after improving his overall position in the third round. 

Having his son Michael working as his caddie at the US Open has made this week even more memorable for Watson.                                           

"It completes the circle," said the eight-times major winner. "Winning here in '82 and calling my dad on Father's Day, and then having my son caddie for me here when I''m 60 years old, that's pretty special."