Ayrshire, Scotland (My Sportsbook) - Tom Watson is so old, he's actually had hip replacement surgery.

I say that, not as a knock on Watson (plenty of younger people have had that procedure), but because it's a common stereotype to articulate about older people.

We don't know if Watson eats dinner at 4:00 p.m. or chases kids off his lawn, but Watson actually had hip replacement surgery. It was in October and it's safe to say he's back all the way.

Watson is a 36-hole co-leader at the British Open Championship. He is 59 years and 316 days old as of Friday and Watson is on top of the golf world once again.

Watson is a five-time winner of the claret jug. He is Scotland's favorite American. He won the Open at Turnberry once before and it was so memorable, the win has its own nickname.

Watson toppled Jack Nicklaus at the 1977 Open at Turnberry. It's called "The Duel in the Sun."

Call this one the "Walk Through the Twilight."

Watson holed a pair of long birdie putts on 16 and 18 to join Steve Marino in first. If you thought the oldest guy in the field and the first alternate as of last weekend would be tied for first at the midway point, call your bookie -- you are on fire.

Friday at the Open Championship was a tough one at Turnberry. For as little wind as there was on Thursday when Watson fired a 65, there was that much breeze on Friday.

Miguel Angel Jimenez was the first-round leader and shot a 73 on Friday.

Ben Curtis won this title in 2003 and was tied with Watson after a 65 on Thursday. Curtis shot an 80 to finish at plus-five. He's got a long flight home.

Kenichi Kuboya was tied with Watson and Curtis after round one and shot a 72. He is tied for fourth.

Tiger Woods will probably miss the cut. The Tiger Woods, the three-time winner, world No. 1 and huge favorite to win this week and he's gassing up the jet.

But Watson persevered.

Watson had five bogeys in a six-hole span on the front nine. Then he birdied nine and 11 and rattled home a 35-footer for birdie on 16 and one almost as long with two breaks in it on 18.

"I made two no-brainers there, field-goals as my dad would call them," he joked.

Watson, who did birdie the first, had a start that made everyone feel that the story of the 59-year-old Hall of Famer leading his best event would be one day and over. Then he showed that Watson magic of old and now he's not just in the hunt, but leading it.

"Something's on my side," said Watson. "Things are happening my way."

Whether it's whatever divine being Watson believes in, or maybe it's long-time caddy and close friend Bruce Edwards shining down on him, something does appear to be on his side. It doesn't hurt that Watson is still a superb ball- striker and remarkably streaky.

But Watson will be 60 soon. Greg Norman was 53 in 2008 and led with nine holes to go before Padraig Harrington caught him. Watson's philosophical about his chances with half the tournament still to be played.

"I don't have too many years left to play in the Open Championship," he said. "I've had some wonderful memories. Maybe I can make one more memory here."

When TNT's Jim Huber asked Watson if he thought he could hoist the claret jug one more time, Watson's answer was simple, yet convincing.

"I wouldn't be here unless I thought I could."

Now we all think he can.