Tom Watson climbs leaderboard

Tom Watson, the 2009 British Open runner-up, started the day tied for 29th, eight shots behind the leader, Fred Couples, at the Toshiba Classic.

But now Watson, the 39-time PGA Tour winner, is three shots back, after firing a nine-under-par 62. It matches the best final round in tournament history. Hale Irwin also had a 62 in the final round in 1998. Watson finished 11-under 202 for the tournament.

Still, Couples is on his way to winning his second straight event on the Champions Tour. He is at 14 under through 13 holes. A threat of rain is the only thing that might stop Couples.

Watson, 60, started his round, birdie, birdie, eagle, birdie. He birdied the first three holes on the back nine and finished with eight birdies. He had one bogey, on No. 9.

His 62 matches his career low on the Champions Tour, the third time he’s had such a score. His low on the PGA Tour is a 63. He had 22 putts in his round, which also matched his career low on the Champions Tour, set earlier this year.

“The putter just worked great today,” Watson said. “I haven’t had the putter work that great in years.”

Watson said the next event he’ll play in will be the Masters.

The course record in the Toshiba Classic is an 11-under 60, set by Tom Purtzer in 2004.