From his roots in Kansas City, through college golf at Stanford University, and more than 25 years on the PGA TOUR, Tom Watson has built a spot for himself among the greatest to play the game. Only five other golfers – Jack Nicklaus, Walter Hagen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, and Tiger Woods – have more victories in major championships.
From 1977 through 1984, Watson dominated the PGA TOUR, winning Player of the Year honors six times. He won the Masters in 1977 and 1981 and grabbed the U.S. Open Championship in 1982.
Only Harry Vardon has won more than Watson’s five British Open titles (1975-77-80-82-83). Watson was the TOUR’s leading money winner five times. Overall, he has won a total 39 tournaments on the PGA TOUR.
Tom Watson’s competitive excellence has not been confined to the United States. Along with five British Open Championships and three Senior British Open Championships, Watson has won tournaments in Asia, Europe, and Australia. He has been part of five Ryder Cup teams, including serving as Captain of the victorious 1993 team.
Some of Watson’s duels with Jack Nicklaus are considered among the greatest moments in golf’s storied history. There was the 1977 British Open at Turnberry, when Watson and Nicklaus played head-to-head over the final 36 holes. Watson took a one-shot victory with a birdie putt on the final hole.
At the 1982 U.S. Open, his memorable chip-in from the rough to the 17th green at Pebble Beach earned him the Championship, again beating Nicklaus, this time by two strokes.
TOM WATSON CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Captain of the 2014 United States Ryder Cup Team
Winner of five British Open Championships (1975, 1977, 1980, 1982, 1983)
Winner of 1982 U.S. Open
Winner of 1977 and 1981 Masters
Five-time PGA TOUR leading money winner (1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1984)
Six-time PGA of America Player of the Year (1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1982, 1984)
Played on four Ryder Cup Teams (1977, 1981, 1983, 1989)
Captain of the 1993 victorious United States Ryder Cup Team
Winner of 39 PGA TOUR events
Winner of more than a half-dozen international tournaments including the 1984 Australian Open
Winner of 12 Senior/Champions Tour events including the 2001 Senior PGA Championship and the 2003, 2005, 2007 Senior British Open Championships
2003 Champions Tour Player of the Year
1988 Elected to the PGA World Golf Hall of Fame
