Tom Watson's last Sr Open

Tom announced today this is his last Sr Open. Too bad but it had end at some point.

Regardless of what he shot I enjoyed watching him play. Just a smooth flowing swing. He was the first pro I rooted for when I got into golf.

One of my favorites to watch. In 1996 I had tickets to The Memorial from work ( I was 19) and took my dad on a rainy Sunday. My dad told me on the drive up that Watson was going to beat Duval and Els and win, he didn’t like most younger players and thought they were soft. They all played fine, but Watson did win and it meant a lot to my dad to stand there on 18 and watch him make birdie to win by a couple. I wasn’t particularly a Watson fan at the time, but I’ve really liked him ever since. 2009 Open is still my saddest moment in golf, I was pacing the living room all Sunday morning. He is one of the last voices of manhood in the game.

Watson was obviously one of the best players of all time.

But I do think he is the best senior golfer ever. That longevity is quite unmatched.

The best ever at the Open. 2009 oh man what could've been.

Had the privilege of watching him tee it up at Royal Liverpool in 2014, an absolute class act, a wise old owl too.

Just found out and I went on friday, I'm so glad that I got to see him hit a few balls in his farewell......class act and my dad's favourite player! Will be missed on both open weeks, hope he does abit of tv

Never really watched or cared for him much. But I’m old enough to have watched Jack winning and Watson was the new guy attempting to take his place. I’m glad he won Colonial finally in his later years. That was good to see.

One thing about him I picked up from interviews early on. The guy is a bit of a weirdo and a little out there with his thoughts. I remember one time in an interview with him and Jack. Instead of answering a simple question he goes off on this freaky tangent, something about saving the world etc. Jack just gave him this look like “wtf are you talking about”? He also has a habit of using his bully pulpit.

For me anyway, I don’t need to hear preaching from athletes. This guy brings it to a completely different level. I hope he goes away. I do not want to see him on telecasts.

I'll admit Tom's never been my favorite guy.

Still sad to see the end of an era.

Tom was my favorite guy, and I always rooted for him over Jack. Maybe it was the underdog thing.

I followed him in 1981 during the last round at Augusta - the whole way around. A great memory, especially driver - driver to the 8th green. He was playing in the last group with Greg Norman.

I followed a lot of him when he won The Senior Open at Royal Aberdeen, class to watch!

Best memory of Watson was after he lost 2009 Open playoff and just sat there with very quiet reporters and after a bit said "this ain't a funeral you know." Just classic Watson so humble.

He's my all time favorite golfer.

He could get it up and down from anywhere and at one time was the best putter on earth.

He won the PGA Tour money title and player of the year four straight years, only Tiger has done that since.

He was PGA Tour POY six times in total, only Tiger has more.

He won thee tournaments a year for six straight years, only Arnie has a longer streak.

Nobody had to wait around for him to play his shot.

Have fun with the horses Tom and enjoy your retirement.

Cink did not get much love ’09.

But I remenber the Watson ball being in the air on the 72th. Several guys had got impossible lies hitting their approaches too far, and I was thinking ”c’mon Tom, you are to routined to hit it too far. Just safely on the green”. But, alas, that was not to be.

Probably the best links player ever all things considered. Given that he originally didn't like links golf, he won 5 Opens, 3 Senior Opens, nearly won at 59.

> @Dave230 said:

> Probably the best links player ever all things considered. Given that he originally didn't like links golf, he won 5 Opens, 3 Senior Opens, nearly won at 59.

He didn't initially like links golf, yet won the British open in his first attempt.

Felt really bad for him in 09 but at the time it was easy to forget he's already got 5 claret jugs. Cink must have thought "come on old man, let me have this one you've already got enough!!" :lol:

Proper ball striker

Sad to see him retiring...when did we all get so old? That the 2009 Open is 10 years ago is something I am having a hard time computing. I am not sure that I have ever felt as deflated after watching golf on the TV than I was after Turnberry.

I must admit, I was never a huge fan like some guys on here. That is simply based on the fact that he was a little before my time and at times he can come across as a little sanctimonious but I always took from him that he tried to do the right thing and he can't be criticised for that.

What a pitty both his last appearance at the Open and Senior Open had been very lame because of the weather, he would have deserved muchc more.

Also, sometimes I still cry thinking about 2009.

> @"Darth Putter" said:

> > @Dave230 said:

> > Probably the best links player ever all things considered. Given that he originally didn't like links golf, he won 5 Opens, 3 Senior Opens, nearly won at 59.

>

> He didn't initially like links golf, yet won the British open in his first attempt.

You dont have to like something to be good at it. One of the curses of my life, actually. I would easily trade half of my capability to solve math problems for making my capability to swing a golf club in a better way. Any day.

Question is, if Tom do not get more kudos from not winning ’09 than if he had won?

I wish him well. He’s been good for the game, and has earned a great and hopefully long retirement from it all!!!

> @Hankshank said:

> Question is, if Tom do not get more kudos from not winning ’09 than if he had won?

No, I think he would have gotten even more, especially from the non-hard core fans. Coming that close in a major at his age was super impressive, winning would have had even more talking about it.

> @MattyO1984 said:

> Sad to see him retiring...**when did we all get so old**? That the 2009 Open is 10 years ago is something I am having a hard time computing. I am not sure that I have ever felt as deflated after watching golf on the TV than I was after Turnberry.

>

> I must admit, I was never a huge fan like some guys on here. That is simply based on the fact that he was a little before my time and at times he can come across as a little sanctimonious but I always took from him that he tried to do the right thing and he can't be criticised for that.

There's a huge difference between 59 years old and 69 years old, in a golf sense.

Legend.

> @imakaveli said:

> Legend.

>

>

That kind of says it all.

> @SkiSchoolPro said:

> > @Hankshank said:

> > Question is, if Tom do not get more kudos from not winning ’09 than if he had won?

>

> No, I think he would have gotten even more, especially from the non-hard core fans. Coming that close in a major at his age was super impressive, winning would have had even more talking about it.

He would also likely be the subject of a "Worst winner of a major ever" thread. Danny Willett would no doubt be delighted haha

> @gvogel said:

> > @imakaveli said:

> > Legend.

> >

> >

>

> That kind of says it all.

Apparently, not good enough to some on here to be a honorary starter at the masters in the future..... Mind boggles it really does

STILL the last man to captain the USA to a Ryder Cup win on the road.

> @scruffynick said:

> > @gvogel said:

> > > @imakaveli said:

> > > Legend.

> > >

> > >

> >

> > That kind of says it all.

> Apparently, not good enough to some on here to be a honorary starter at the masters in the future..... Mind boggles it really does

Whatever, that won’t change his legacy