American · Kansas City, Missouri · Born 4 September 1949American golfer who won eight major championships, including a record-tying five Open Championships, and led the money list five times.
Thomas Sturges Watson was born on 4 September 1949 in Kansas City, Missouri, and began caddying for his father at the Kansas City Country Club at just six years old, learning the fundamentals of his swing from club professional Stan Thirsk before attending Stanford University, where he earned a degree in psychology. Watson turned professional in 1971 and developed into the dominant player of the late 1970s and early 1980s, repeatedly defeating Jack Nicklaus in some of the sport's most celebrated head-to-head battles, including the 1977 Masters and that year's Open Championship, dubbed the "Duel in the Sun." Watson won eight major championships, including five Open titles and the dramatic 1982 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach, where he famously chipped in from thick rough on the 17th hole to seal victory over Nicklaus, and was ranked the world's top player from 1978 to 1982. Watson defied age at the 2009 Open Championship, leading after three rounds at nearly 60 years old before narrowly losing a playoff to Stewart Cink, and has remained a beloved figure in the sport, later serving as U.S. Ryder Cup captain in 2014 and continuing his philanthropic support of ALS research.
Five-time Open Champion and rival of Jack Nicklaus in the 1970s-80s
He led the 2009 British Open at age 59 and needed a par to win. He bogeyed and lost in a playoff.
Did You Know?How They Played
Exceptional short game, brilliant chipper and putter, master of links golf
Lasting Impact
One of golf's greatest links players and most successful golfers of late 1970s and early 1980s
Career Honours
- 2 Masters
- 1 US Open
- 5 Open Championships
- six-time PGA Player of the Year
- World Golf Hall of Fame 1988
American Athletes