Watson fires 68 to make cut in Australia

• By Will Gray
• Dec 7, 2012 9:53 AM ET

Halfway around the world, Tom Watson continues to prove that age is merely a number.

Playing in this week's Australian Open at age 63, Watson fired a 4-under 68 Friday to make the cut by a stroke. His round, which was 10 shots better than his effort on Thursday, included birdies on four of his final six holes.

"I hate missing cuts, I really do," said Watson after the round (click for scores). "That means you've failed."

At 2-over 146, Watson trails leader Marcus Fraser by eight shots entering the weekend. The Australian carded a 3-under 69 at The Lakes for the second consecutive day, and leads by one shot over fellow countrymen Brendan Jones and John Senden.

"I've been playing so much that I feel like I'm going with the flow a little bit," said Fraser, who is playing in his seventh tournament - in seven different countries - in the last seven weeks.

In many respects though, the day belonged to Watson, whose rally Friday amid windy conditions helped ensure that the eight-time major winner has still never missed the cut in an Australasian PGA Tour event.

"The one thing you can do, if the winds stay like they are, if you tee off first you're going to have the chance for a good score," said Watson, who will be one of the first players on the course Saturday morning. "If you tee off last, you're going to struggle on this golf course."

While Watson will play the weekend, a notable player nearly 50 years his junior will not. Despite a 2-under 70 Friday, 14-year-old Tianlang Guan missed the cut at 8-over 152. It marked the first sub-par round in a professional event this year for the Asia Pacific Amateur champion, who next spring will become the youngest participant ever at The Masters.