How Tom Watson and a Caddie Named Alfie Changed One Fan’s Life

A Teenager’s Life Changed by Golf

Imagine you are a teenager in the 1970s, just starting to like golf. For the writer of this story, that’s exactly when Tom Watson showed up. Watson was one of golf’s rising stars and also one of its “high priests” (a respected teacher-like figure). Usually, a player is one or the other, but Watson was both.

• The writer became obsessed with links golf (golf played on coastal, windy courses with few trees) by watching Watson win the 1975 British Open at Carnoustie on TV.
• Fun fact: That 1975 Open was Watson’s first Open ever — and the writer’s first Open watched on TV, too.

Watson’s Open History With Birkdale and Beyond

Watson won his fifth and last Open at Birkdale in 1983. But his story there didn’t stop.

• He almost won again in 1984 at the Old Course.
• He almost won again in 2009 at Turnberry — at age 59, he lost in a playoff (a sudden extra round to decide the winner).
• The writer was in the press tent when Watson walked in and said, “This ain’t no funeral.” Those four words gave the writer a sense of balance and a funny memory on the way to writing 2,100 articles.

Two Interviews, Decades Apart

The writer asked Watson for an interview at the 1991 Open at Birkdale, and Watson said sure.

1. In 1991: They sat on a wooden bench in the men’s locker room with just a notebook.
2. In 2026: The writer brought Darren Riehl (GOLF.com’s creative director/producer/camera operator), and the three sat in a bright clubhouse room with a view of the 18th hole.

Watson talked about:

• Coming up the 18th hole when winning in ’83.
• Missing the 54-hole cut (a second elimination round) as defending champion in 1976.

Important Point: Back then, The Open had a 36-hole cut AND a 54-hole cut. That means players had to survive two elimination points, not just one.

Why the 54-Hole Cut?

This is theory, not fact:

• The Open used to end on a Saturday.
• Many British club professionals played in it.
• The Friday 54-hole cut let more of those local pros get home to their clubs and work on Saturday.

The Caddie Story: Alfie Fyles

Watson won all five of his Opens with Alfie Fyles as his caddie (the person who carries clubs and gives advice). Fyles was, as Watson said, “a Southport man.”

Here’s what the writer learned in the Thursday interview:

• Alfie Fyles (not his brother Albert, also a caddie) worked for Gary Player when Player won the 1974 British Open at Royal Lytham.
• In 1975 at Carnoustie, Player brought his American caddie, Alfred “Rabbit” Dyer, instead.
• IMG (a marketing agency for Player) suggested Watson hire Fyles for that week.
• Watson did, they won, and a pattern started.
• In 1976 at Birkdale (Fyles’s home course!), Watson brought his American caddie Bruce Edwards instead — even though he’d won with Fyles.

Important Point: Times have changed. Today, caddies are seen as key “team members” — until a player decides they’re not needed.

Why Watson Still Shows Up

Watson plays in or visits Opens regularly because:

• He represents Rolex, a sponsor of The Open.
• But the bigger reason: his 38 years of Open play is a central life experience.

His last Open as a player was 2015 at the Old Course. This year, he came with his wife Dorothy. On the way, they:

• Went to Geneva to tour Rolex HQ.
• Went to Wimbledon to watch the men’s and women’s finals.

Watson says if you win five Opens, you might get invites like that. Until then, practice the bump-and-run (a low, rolling golf shot).

The Course and The Man Haven’t Changed Much

Watson said on Thursday:

“This course is no different now than it was in 1976… It’s really not any different, except for the length of the golf course and some redesigned holes.”

And Watson himself? A friend named Sandy Tatum said, “He has a swing that will not quit.” The writer says the Watson who pulled him into golf is the same straight, direct, efficient man he met in 2026.

• Darren once played Augusta National and got Watson’s locker in the champions’ room.
• Watson shares it with Claude Harmon (died 1989), whose nameplate is still there.
• Writer: “That’s amazing.” Watson: “No, it’s not.”

Summary

Tom Watson inspired a teenage golf fan through TV in 1975 and remained a life-long figure through near-wins and interviews. With caddie Alfie Fyles, he won five Opens. Old Open rules like the 54-hole cut and changing caddie habits show how golf evolved. Watson’s bond with Birkdale, his sponsor visits, and his unchanged personality make him a lasting link to golf history.

FAQ

Q: What is a “links golf” course?
A: It’s a golf course by the coast with wind, few trees, and firm ground — like Birkdale or Carnoustie.

Q: What does a caddie do?
A: A caddie carries a player’s clubs and helps with advice on how to play shots.

Q: What is a playoff in golf?
A: If players tie, they play extra holes to decide the winner — that’s a playoff.

Q: Why did Watson use different caddies in the 1970s?
A: Back then, players often brought their own American caddies to big events, even on a local caddie’s home course. Times were different.