As a five-time “champion golfer,†winner of the “Duel in the Sun†and so nearly the architect of one of sport's greatest fairy tales, Tom Watson is an undoubted Open legend.
The American, who will celebrate his 73rd birthday on Sunday, may speak with a Kansas drawl and have two green jackets from Augusta National in his wardrobe, but it's the links courses of Britain that forever will be home.
Watson put down roots as soon as he arrived and is a member of an exclusive club of players who became “champion golfer of the year†at the first attempt. His victory at Carnoustie in 1975 came at the end of an 18-hole playoff with Jack Newton and sparked an incredible run of success.
Defeating Jack Nicklaus in 1977’s Duel in the Sun at Turnberry was perhaps Watson’s greatest moment, and further triumphs at Muirfield, Royal Troon and Royal Birkdale quickly followed.
His haul of five Claret Jugs is one fewer than Harry Vardon, who still holds the record with six Open wins, but in 2009 Watson almost matched it. Twenty-six years after his last major success, the then-59-year-old so nearly became the oldest major champion in history.
He teed off on the 72nd hole at Turnberry knowing that just a par would do and, but for a badly-timed breath of wind, he may well have penned one of the greatest comeback stories in sport.
Watson ultimately lost to Stewart Cink in a playoff, but, although there was no sixth Claret Jug in 2009, the respect and admiration for one of golf’s greatest only grew.
To view Tom Watson’s complete record at the Open, from his debut in 1975 to his final appearance at St Andrews 40 years later, visit HERE.
The R&A
