Tom Watson (golfer)

Thomas Sturges Watson (born September 4, 1949 in Kansas City, Missouri) is a golfer on the Champions Tour, who still occasionally competes in PGA TOUR events.

Career outline

Watson began his golf career in 1971, the same year he graduated from Stanford University with a degree in psychology.

Related Topics:
1971 - Stanford University - Psychology

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

He has won eight major championships on the regular tour—two Masters (1977 and 1981), one US Open (1982), and five British Opens (1975, 1977, 1980, 1982, 1983).

Related Topics:
Major championships - Masters - 1977 - 1981 - US Open - 1982 - British Open - 1975 - 1980 - 1983

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

His 1977 British Open victory, at Turnberry in Scotland, was especially memorable. After two rounds, he and Jack Nicklaus were one shot out of the lead and paired for the third round. Both shot 65, ending the third round three shots clear of the field. Watson and Nicklaus were again paired for the final round. On the last day, the two were tied after 16 holes. Nicklaus missed a makeable birdie putt on 17, losing his share of the lead to Watson, who birdied 17. On the 18th, Nicklaus drove into the rough, while Watson drove into the fairway. Watson's approach landed three feet from the flag, while Nicklaus, after a drive into deep rough, managed to get his approach 30 feet away. Nicklaus sank his birdie putt to finish with a 66, but Watson followed suit with his own birdie, finishing with a second straight 65 and his second Open.

Related Topics:
Turnberry - Scotland - Jack Nicklaus

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Watson's only US Open win, in 1982 at Pebble Beach, was equally memorable. Nicklaus, playing two groups ahead of Watson in the final round, charged into a share of the lead with five consecutive birdies. When Watson reached the par-3 17th hole the two were still tied, but with Nicklaus safely in the clubhouse at 4 under par 284. Watson hit his tee shot on 17 into the rough just off the green. He faced an extremely difficult chip shot downhill on a very fast green that sloped toward the Pacific Ocean. While being interviewed on national television and fully aware of Watson's terrible predicament, Nicklaus appeared confident he was on his way to an unprecendented fifth US Open championship. Watson's chip shot, amazingly, hit the flagstick and landed in the cup, giving him a near-miraculous birdie and setting the stage for yet another win over Nicklaus. Watson went on to birdie the 18th as well, for a final margin of two shots.

Related Topics:
1982 - Pebble Beach - Pacific Ocean

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

He joined the Champions Tour in 1999, the same year he earned an honorary membership of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews in Scotland. Ironically, St. Andrews is one of the few Open venues where Watson did not claim victory.

Related Topics:
Champions Tour - 1999 - Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews - Scotland

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A memorable moment in Watson's career came at the 2003 US Open, when he shot an opening-round 65 with his longtime caddy Bruce Edwards carrying his clubs. The latter would succumb to ALS on April 8, 2004 at the age of 49.

Related Topics:
Bruce Edwards - ALS - April 8 - 2004

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In total Watson won 39 events on the PGA TOUR between 1974 and 1998. As of July 2005 he had six wins on the Champions Tour, including four senior majors. He has also won a number of unofficial and international events.

Related Topics:
PGA TOUR - Senior majors

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Watson was one of two players to play with Jack Nicklaus in the final two rounds of golf in Nicklaus' career; the other was Luke Donald.

Related Topics:
Jack Nicklaus - Luke Donald

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Having resided for many years in Mission Hills, Kansas, Watson currently resides in Stillwell, Kansas with his wife, two children, and three stepchildren. He also designed the National Golf Club of Kansas City golf course.

Related Topics:
Mission Hills, Kansas - Stillwell, Kansas

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~