The sport of golf

Had Tom Watson done the unthinkable and captured the British Open as a soon-to-be 60 year old, it would have been the story of the year. Who wasn't rooting for him?
That being said, what does it say about the sport of golf when a man approaching 60 can challenge for one of the four majors.
I understand golf is a sport that can be played forever. And it's conceivable to have one incredible round. But four in four days?
We've gotten so caught up in Tiger that perhaps we've neglected to notice the rest of the field isn't very good.