Posted on 04/09/2010 2:24:18 AM PDT by ICAB9USA
AUGUSTA, Ga. — Tom Watson finally seems at peace. Over the years, I have probably written more than 100,000 words about Watson — the good fortune of being a sportswriter in Kansas City for a long time. I have chased him from golf course to golf course. I have seen him overjoyed and grumpy and most places in between. Anyway, I never thought of him being at peace before. No, there was always a certain restlessness about Watson. I always thought it had something to do with the strange arc of his brilliant career. Watson was a late bloomer — he was not an especially good golfer at Stanford. He jumped on the PGA Tour, and he tore up his swing again and again as a young man. He never felt like he could hit the ball straight enough to compete with the best.
Then he found a swing that worked well enough, and for an eight-year stretch, 1977-1984, he was about as good as anybody, ever. He won seven major championships and 33 tournaments and six PGA Tour player of the Year awards, and three times he beat Jack Nicklaus, head-to-head, in one of the biggest tournaments in the world. It wasn't the swing that won tournaments for him, incidentally. It was his creativity around the greens, and his intense competitive nature, and one other thing: Watson was the boldest putter on earth. He slammed putt after putt at the hole because he knew, deeply knew, that if he missed he would make the putt coming back.
Then, just as quickly as it started, his dominance ended at age 35.
(Excerpt) Read more at golf.com ...
Amerika is completely lost.
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Yes...... and I believe that the cold front has gone through, the wind should be up a little, and the greens should get harder.
And I think you are saying too, the pin placements will be a little more difficult too.
It should be great. I'm psyched.
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Did you happen to see the blond-haired rules girl yesterday late in the round. Tiger was lookin'.
;-)
Here we are at Augusta. Watson and Mick are on the 18th with Couples and Woods out on the fairway waiting. It is all tied up 4 ways.....WOW!
The gallery is mostly old-time “locals”
Me too! I am playing Black Diamond on Monday. GOLF SEASON IS HERE!
;-)
If it weren't for modern equipment and modern medicine (Watson had a hip replacement a year and a half ago), he wouldn't have a chance. Another advantage is the Champion's Tour which motivates the older players to keep their games in shape. I think it's good for the game though, keeping veterans competitive longer. And one thing to note about Watson is he stuck with a traditional putter in spite of his troubles.
Nice dream... Jethro Michelson won't be there on Sunday and Watson is a long shot. I can see Woods and Couples, but the other two will be Ricky Barns and Anthony Kim. I'm pulling for Ricky Barns to take it all. Wilson Staff will chalk up yet another Major.
That is who I was thinking of. Barnes. Who is that kid? He looks good.
Hey, "Stan the Man" was my baseball hero as a kid and the reason I batted (and now golf) left-handed even though I do everything else right handed.
Musial was a great player, always underrated and always carried himself with class. Those qualities drew me to him...even as a kid. Arnie was similar in his golfing skills and classy demeanor.
Yeah right. Michelson only shot a 30 on the front nine on Sunday last year but he will not be there. Get a clue. Phil’s wife was sick and he was not s*rewing pancake waitress in church parking lots. He shot lower scores than Toger at The Masters and at The US Open. Not to mention Doral, Shanghai which he won and a few others.
Ricky Barnes is very very good.
Nick Watney is right there too. Phil embarassed Tiger at Shanghai last year and Watney also cruise right past him when the pump daddy srpayed two shots in the water on the last two holes.
I may have a misimpression, but the applause for him seemed to me to be overhyped. There was applause, like on the 18th, but as the camera panned, you could see that there were more people NOT applauding than applauding. I'm yet to be convinced that Tiger has the fans--oops, patrons (what a crock)--on his side, even though he's necessary for golf's popularity (can you imagine a game whose stars are Phil, Furik, VJ, or the others who have had a personality-ectomy?)
Great post..... danke!
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Westwood -9 and leading.
Finally this kid is playing some golf.
Watson has fallen back some ....... but let's hope he gets a little lucky!
They both tee off around 2:00 p.m. today, so the 3:30 television start will allow us to see them if the media people show them. I just hope Tom keeps playing well enough to stay in the top 20. And I think Freddie is still strong enough to win if the Brits and Tiger don't go run and hide.
Enjoy The Masters ......
****
Tiger to me is the biggest surprise. Did not expect him to play so soild.
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