KAILUA-KONA, Hawaii » Ohio State graduate John Cook is still riding the wave of emotion that came after the Buckeyes secured the national championship in football earlier this month.

The Ohio State tradition runs deep in his family. His father, Jim Cook, and his sister, Cathy, went to school there, and his nephew Justin is a member of the football team. When asked about it after Friday’s round, John Cook might have had a tear in his eye by interview’s end.

"Talk about a proud moment," said Cook, who is tied for 26th at the Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai at 2-under 142.

"It goes deeper than just me being there, you know. My father went there. He played football there. He coached football there. My sister went there. My nephew goes there now and plays football there, so he was part of that team.

"It was pretty emotional for the Cook family. Not just because we’re alumni, big supporters of the programs, student-athletes — it just had a real personal connection and I think being part of the Sugar Bowl, being there and watching it and being part of the championship game in Dallas, being in the player-family area was something that I will never forget."

All family members went to the Sugar Bowl to see Ohio State upend Alabama to advance to the final against Oregon. Only he and his sister’s family went to the game in Dallas.

"It is one of the proudest moments of my life," Cook said. "Seeing my nephew down there and his number, getting the trophy and getting the rings and, well I just love talking about it. I can talk about it for a little while longer, then I have to put it all away.

"We’re pretty proud. It was an amazing run for them in the last month. They were underdogs every game and end up being the best team, clearly. Proud moment. I wouldn’t have missed it. It was so special to see Justin there, suit up. It was good fun."

Watson looking forward to British Open

Tom Watson didn’t have quite the round he had on Friday, settling for a 2-over-par 74 for a two-day total of 2-under 142. This week’s tournament is one of 12 events he will play in this year, including five on the PGA Tour. But the one he is looking forward to the most is his last go-round at the British Open. This year, the event will be held at the Old Course in St. Andrews, considered by most to be the home of golf.

Watson can’t wait to walk across the famed Swilcan Bridge at the 18th one last time. He remembers quite clearly being part of Jack Nicklaus‘ last walk there and gets a little misty-eyed talking about it even now.

"I’ve already gone through it once," Watson said. "I thought it was going to be my last time to stroll along Swilcan Bridge in 2010. I thought that was going to be it. My exemption ran out, but fortunately they gave me an extension to my exemption because of the way I played in 2009 (lost in a playoff to Stewart Cink).

"Now this is the last year of my eligibility playing in the Open Championship. Again, I’ll get to cross the Swilcan Bridge. I’ve been there during a special time with Jack Nicklaus. I played with him on his final time to walk over that bridge at the 18th hole, which was a tearful walk up the 18th for me."

Expect a few tears from Watson as he makes his own final stroll.

"Now I have my own chance to do it and now it’s deja vu all over again, as they say, in 2015," Watson said. "So, it’s a special time. St. Andrews is special, a special place for golf. When people think of golf in the United Kingdom, they think of St. Andrews. When they think of golf in the United States, probably think of Pebble Beach. Those are the two pinnacles you think of golf around the world."

Watson is also looking forward to spending time with the young ones of the PGA Tour.

"I’m going to play in about a dozen events this year," Watson said. "I’m going to play against the kids a few times this year. I’m going to play at Colonial, the Masters, Greenbrier, the British Open and I’m going to throw in Hilton Head, too."

Inside the numbers

Saturday’s scoring average was 69.900. It was a 1.125-stroke improvement over Friday’s opener. The 11-under score by leaders Rocco Mediate and Miguel Angel Jimenez is the lowest 36-hole effort since George Archer led after the second round at 9 under in 2000.

The easiest hole on Saturday was the par-5 14th with a scoring average of 4.350. There were 28 birdies, 10 pars and two bogeys. The hardest hole was the par-3 eighth with a scoring average of 3.200. There were three birdies, 27 pars, nine bogeys and one double bogey.