Science Fair Project Encyclopedia
Tom Watson (golfer)
Tom Watson (born September 4, 1949) is a golfer on the Champions Tour, who still occasionally competes in PGA TOUR events.
Born in Kansas City, Missouri, Watson began his golf career in 1971, the same year he graduated from Stanford University with a degree in 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).
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 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.
Watson's only US Open win, in 1982 at Pebble Beach , was equally memorable. Again, he was in a final-round pairing with Nicklaus, and the two were tied after 16 holes. On the par-3 17th hole, Watson hit his tee shot 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. 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.
He joined the Champions Tour in 1999, the same year he earned an honorary membership to the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews in 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.
He has won 53 events on both the PGA TOUR and Champions Tour.
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.
PGA TOUR wins
- 1974 Western Open
- 1975 Byron Nelson Golf Classic, The Open Championship
- 1977 Bing Crosby National Pro-Am, Andy Williams-San Diego Open, The Masters, Western Open, The Open Championship
- 1978 Joe Garagiola-Tucson Open, Bing Crosby National Pro-Am, Byron Nelson Golf Classic, Colgate Hall of Fame Classic, Anheuser-Busch Golf Classic
- 1979 Sea Pines Heritage Classic, MONY Tournament of Champions, Byron Nelson Golf Classic, Memorial Tournament, Colgate Hall of Fame Classic
- 1980 Andy Williams-San Diego Open, Glen Campbell-Los Angeles Open, MONY Tournament of Champions, Greater New Orleans Open, Byron Nelson Golf Classic, The Open Championship, World Series of Golf
- 1981 The Masters, USF&G New Orleans Open, Atlanta Classic
- 1982 Glen Campbell-Los Angeles Open, Sea Pines Heritage, U.S. Open, The Open Championship
- 1983 The Open Championship
- 1984 Seiko-Tucson Match Play Championship, MONY Tournament of Champions, Western Open
- 1987 Nabisco Championship
- 1996 Memorial Tournament
- 1998 MasterCard Colonial
Major championships are shown in bold.
See also
External Links
- Tom Watson on About.com Profile and stats
- Tom Watson at Golf Stars Online Directory of interviews, websites and feature articles with or about him
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