Eighth-time Major winning Tom Watson produced one of the most bizarre rounds on the first day of the Emirates Australian Open in Sydney.

In shooting a six over par 78 the 63-year old American recorded four birdies, six bogeys, two double bogeys at the fifth and eighth holes along with five pars on The Lakes course.

For a second day running Watson found the water down the left side of the first fairway after having to take a drop also from the water in Wednesday’s Pro Am.

Tom Watson teeing off on the first day of the Emirates Australian Open (Photo – www.golfaustralia.com.au)

“You’d expect after making four birdies, you wouldn’t shoot 78,’’ he said.

“I hit a lot of stray shots. I was in the ice plant. I was in the water. I thought I hit a good drive at the first and it bounced in the water. I was really surprised on that.

Knowing the golf course is paramount and I didn’t know that shot there.’’

Golf Australia and the PGA Tour put Watson in the same group as 19-year old rookie professional Jake Higginbottom, who recently captured the New Zealand Open as an amateur just a few weeks ago before turning professional.

And Higginbottom showed his class in carding a two over par 74 to be trailing eight shots behind Queenslander John Senden who leads by two on six under par.

“Well, he could darn near be my grandson, being 63 years old,” said Watson.

“I was impressed. He played pretty solid.’’

Higginbottom was disappointed with his round, but happy to have the experience of playing alongside an eight-time major championship winner.

“It was enjoyable,’’ he said. “Obviously I didn’t play very well, but that’s okay.

“The first few holes I was a bit nervous but I settled down. He’s a great bloke, very friendly. It was good to play with him.’’

Watson, who came to Sydney with a bad cold, wore a wind vest all afternoon despite the warmish temperatures, but said he felt better. His golf game was another matter.

“I’m embarrassed about the way I played and it was not up to my standards,” he added.

“Tomorrow, I feel I have the golf swing in me to hit a lot of quality shots. Let’s see how it goes. I’m putting pretty well, making some putts.”