And when he braced himself against the wind and peeled off another crisp left-handed shot, it really was obvious.
Golfing royalty descended on Dunedin when the great Sir Bob Charles made his competitive comeback at the NZPGA and PGA of Australia Legends Pro-Am.
The 86-year-old Charles comfortably broke his age, carding a 7-over-par 78, an impressive effort in changeable weather.
"The wind and the cold was a bit of a trial," he told the Otago Daily Times after his round.
"There were also quite a few blind shots on this course. I hadn’t played here recently.
"I had four three-putts, and missed a few greens. I pull-hooked a few tee shots early in the round, and that wasn’t very pretty.
"It wasn’t a particularly . . . well, I don’t really care what I score these days. It’s just the mere fact of getting out there, walking 18 holes and enjoying it.
"I didn’t stand on the first tee thinking about winning the tournament."
Charles fired one birdie, holing a 10-foot putt on the par-5 ninth.
He said his shot of the day was a 6-iron on the 16th.
"I was unsure what to hit but I made a good swing on that one to about eight or nine feet from the hole.
"I was quite chuffed with that one."
It was his first competitive action in a decade — but does he have more in him?
"Well, it was a one-day pro-am, and I’ve played a lot of tournaments over 54 or 72 holes, which I’m not up to any more.
"I can’t be competitive but I feel I can still enjoy one day, 18 holes, like today."
It is 60 years since Charles won the British Open, and he looks forward to watching this year’s tournament on television — especially if a New Zealander like Ryan Fox can repeat history.
About half the field were Australians yesterday, but the winner was a New Zealander.
Harewood professional Craig Mitchell carded a 5-under-par 66 to win by a stroke from Australians Brad Burns and Andre Stolz.
The Legends Pro-Am series goes to the North Otago club today, and Tokarahi tomorrow.
