Tom Watson's near miracle at the British Open showed age can be just a number in sport, or at least some sports. Sports editor Hayden Meikle finds examples of other athletes who defied the years to compete at the top level.
1.George Foreman (boxing)Became the oldest man to win the world heavyweight title at 45.
Also estimated to have made US$420 million ($NZ636 million) from his George Foreman Grill.
Called his sons George (Junior), George (Monk), George (Big Wheel), George (Red) and George (Joe).
2.Roger Milla (football)Set the 1990 World Cup alight with his performances - at the age of 38 - for Cameroon.
Scored four goals and pioneered the dance-round-the-posts celebration.
Also played in the 1994 World Cup aged 42, and was named the African player of the century.
3. WG Grace (cricket)Played at first-class level for an astonishing 44 seasons, retiring from the sport aged 66.
Scored 55,000 first-class runs and took nearly 3000 wickets.
Also rorted the amateur rules and virtually umpired himself.
4. Steve Redgrave (rowing)Won gold medals at five consecutive Olympics, the last aged 38.
Knighted for being "oarsome".
5. Martina Navratilova (tennis)Won Australian Open and Wimbledon mixed doubles titles aged 46 in 2003, becoming the oldest Grand Slam champion in history.
Then became the oldest player (47) to win a singles match in the professional era at Wimbledon.
6. Cliff Young (athletics)The 61-year-old potato farmer won the first Sydney to Melbourne ultra marathon (875km) in 1983.
7. Satchel Paige (baseball)Made his Major League debut aged 42 after years in the Negro Leagues.
Played his last game aged 59.
