Tom Watson revealed how a timely reminder of his victory in one of the greatest-ever major golf championships inspired him to a sensational five-under-par 65 for the clubhouse lead in The Open here today. In 1977 Watson outgunned Jack Nicklaus to win by one shot on the last green at Turnberry in an Open that went down in history as the Duel in the Sun.

Before teeing off in perfect conditions today, Watson received a text message from Nicklaus's wife Barbara and that lifted the five-time Open champion.

The 59-year-old said: “There was something slightly spiritual about today. I received a text from Barbara Nicklaus. She said she had seen a picture of me practising over here and that I looked very good. She also wished me good luck.

“I texted her back and said we really missed her and it was not the same without Jack playing in the tournament. After that, I think there was some spirituality out there.”

Watson's five under par gave him a one-shot clubhouse lead over compatriots Steve Stricker and Stewart Cink, Australia's John Senden and Mathew Goggin, and Colombian Camilo Villegas. And he believes he can continue to tame the links course and possibly see his name engraved once again upon the Claret Jug.

“I feel inspired playing here,” said Watson. “A lot of it has to do with just being in the presence of Turnberry again. I feel I'm playing well enough to win. It doesn't feel a whole lot out of the ordinary from 32 years ago, except that I don't have the confidence in my putting as I had back then. But then, a few of them might go in.”

Watson admitted that the benign conditions on the Ailsa course helped him. He said: “She was defenceless. She played with no wind and it was an easy test, if you can have an easy test in a major championship.”

For all that, the enormity of Watson's achievement was underlined by the fact his 16-year-old playing partner, Matteo Manassero, was born 15 years after the Duel.

The Italian qualified as the youngest player to win the Amateur Championship in the 124-year history of that tournament, and he impressed Watson with his one over par round of 71.

“I really liked the way he played his game,” said the eight-time major champion. “He has a fine swing, and I wish I had his putting stroke.”

In front of packed galleries, Watson was cheered every step of the way and his performance completely overshadowed that of Tiger Woods who lost his cool in his search for a 15th major.

The world No1 hurled his club down after one poor shot and headed straight back to the driving range following his desperate opening round of one over that included four bogeys.

He said: “I made a few mistakes other there today and realise I should have shot about one or two under par. I hit a few shots to the right and didn't take advantage of 17.

“You have to be patient out there and on a day like this you can shoot four or five under par. The wind is down and most of the pins are accessible. I need to clean it up for tomorrow and I will work on the range a little bit.”

Woods started his round with a steady par along with playing partner Ryo Ishikawa. The impressive 17-year-old from Japan finally posted a respectable two under par, the same as Lee Westwood, who completed the three-ball.

Westwood made a blistering start with three consecutive birdies before coming to a halt at the short fourth where he missed a four-foot putt to take a par.

The Englishman continued to play safe over the front nine, finding fairways and keeping out of the rough to stay on the leaderboard. But the same could not be said of Woods.

His steely resolve was broken at the ninth when he dropped his club in anger after another poor shot. He had already hooked a drive at the third and a missed birdie at six.

An unprecedented bogey at 10 was repeated at 15 and 16 when he splashed into Wilson's Burn. Another wild drive at 17 blew his chance of making up a shot and he had to settle for figure in the black.

Proving that it was a day for golden oldies were 52-year-old Mark O'Meara, the 1998 Open champion who posted his lowest ever championship score of 67, and fellow American Mark Calcavecchia.

The 49-year-old Nebraskan is the anti-athlete. He has grown several chins and sports a bulging stomach that he admits he's kept replenished with beer and bar food in Turnberry pubs.

Yet he played brilliantly today despite a bad back. “This is my favourite tournament,” he said. “I love the fans, the crowd, the tasty beer. It's fun.”

Sergio Garcia, hunting his maiden major title, will resume level par tomorrow after scoring the first eagle of the tournament at the 538yrd par five seventh and then giving the two shots back with a double bogey at the 16th.

London's Anthony Wall carded a two-under-par 68. But 54-year-old Greg Norman, winner of the Turnberry Open in 1986 and hero of last year's tournament at Royal Birkdale where he finished third behind Padraig Harrington and Ian Poulter, will have to fight hard to beat the halfway cut after a seven-over-par 77.