The golf world tilted slightly off its axis three weekends ago but the golfing world hardly seemed to notice, perhaps even yawned. Tom Watson, one of the four greatest
living golfers, announced he would no longer play in the U.S. Senior Open or the
Senior British Open. This closes the page on one of the most illustrious
careers in golf history. Watson won eight of golf’s majors, five British Opens, two Masters and one U.S.
Open. He also won the Senior British Open three times.
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| Claret Jug Winner Five Times! |
It can be argued that the 69-year old Watson is the greatest links
golfer of all time. His five British Open titles is the most in the modern era
of the game. His Duel In The Sun with
Jack Nicklaus at Turnberry in 1977 remains one of the great head to head duels
in the history of the sport. The GOAT and the greatest links player went toe to
toe, driver to driver, putter to putter for two glorious rounds, with
Watson finishing on top by a nose (to mix metaphors). And as I have written
before, if Watson had had a nine iron instead of an eight iron on the 72nd hole
in the 2009 Open at Turnberry he might have completed the greatest victory
in golf history or at least since Francis Ouimet beat Harry Vardon and Ted Ray
in the 1913 U.S. Open.
As I have also written before, we do not honor our sports heroes
appropriately when they retire, sadly, waiting for them to pass away before the
real tributes begin. My master plan is still intact see here. Some wise
entrepreneur will bring Watson and Nicholas together to celebrate the Duel in
The Sun and raise millions for charity in the bargain. In the meantime, Cheers,
Tom. Well Done. Your game will be sorely missed
Copyright
R.E. Kelly 2012-2019
AMDG
