Tom Watson (64) Makes Greenbrier Cut, Again
Jason Sobel with the details and various Sam Snead records within reach should 64-year-old Tom Watson move up the leaderboard this weekend at the Greenbrier Classic.
This is pretty amazing for both men...
At 64 years and 10 months exactly, Watson is still more than two years younger than Snead when he set the record for oldest player to make the cut at a PGA tour event. Snead was 67 years, 2 months and 21 days when he played all four rounds at the 1979 Manufacturers Hanover Westchester Classic.
Geoff
**It's a longshot, but after a 68 Saturday, Helen Ross points out that Watson has a chance to best Sam Snead's mark as the oldest player to finish in the top 10 on the PGA Tour.
If he does, Watson, who is playing in his fourth Greenbrier Classic, could eclipse Snead as the oldest player to finish in the top-10 on TOUR. The Virginian, known as "Slammin' Sammy," tied for eighth at the 1975 B.C. Open at the age of 63 years, three months and four days.
Reader Comments (33)
@ NY&G I have to turn the TV off or switch the Channel when they show the replay of the '09 Open at Turnberry. I can watch it up until he plays his second shot into #18 on the final day. After that, I would rather turn the channel watch NASCAR or Seinfeld! He did everything correct that week. Sadly, it was not to be.
I once read Hank Haney say that he thinks Watson fired at the pin on 18 because he didn't want a long lag putt (for fear of 3 putting; apparently tiger also started doing this at some point under haneys watch). Then I've heard andy north say that Watson just nuked it and flew the green. I'd love to know what the thought process was there and what actually happened.
As for worst putt (late) in majors, I think the putt that kept Cink out of the 2001 U.S. Open playoff needs to be considered.
Doug Sanders' 2 1/2 footer at British Open -- needs no further details or description.
Davis Love's 3-putt on the 18th hole that would have gotten him in a playoff for the U.S. Open.
Hubert Green's 3-footer at the Masters giving Player the outright win.
Man , I rarely disagree with you, but I believe that a review of media would show a GREAT deal of bravado given TW's great iron play, some TV guys even saying it is as good or even better (NIMHO) than ever.
He went thru the ram it in the hole blues; where the comebackers don't go in like they used to- and my bud PM is in that funk right now---a case made for the Harvey P method of dying it in the hole netting more holed putts than the ''18 inches past'' approach, as that 18 can become 4 feet and a miss, instead of a 6 inch tap in far too often.
I am not a Watson fan, but I love to watch him hit irons, and I rooted my butt off that day when he wished the 72nd par putt in, instead of playing golf.
Cink maybe a nice person to be around; he certainly seems so, and in Houston, he chatted with the fans after his round, and did not blow off anyone- made eye contact and I was impressed- HOWEVER, hearing about him hidng in the toilet and icing TW for 20 minutes before the Open playoff just infuriated me- far more tacky than the change rattle BS of others, and piled on a dislike ever since he ''legally cheated'' his lie in the ''it was a bunker the next year'' waste area.
The only story that could ever top TW having won the Open would be Erik Compton winning, and I think even Tom would pull for that one.
Have a great weekend.
I think today he may be getting the respect he deserves for an area of his game that was oft times overlooked. I think some of the TV / media types today are giving him more credit than in previous times.
Happy belated 4th Digs. Hope you hit the links over the weekend.
@KLG +1 on "Ouch"
None of us mentioned Snead's blunder on the 18-hole of the 1947 U.S. Open to lose the championship to Lew Worsham. It was reported that the putt measured 30.5". Crazy how things work out....Snead had made an 18-footer on the previous day to tie Worsham on the 72nd hole -- but couldn't nail the 2 /12 footer in the playoff.
Chico is right about the approach shooting forward on a tiny downslope on the green, hurt that he hit it so high...Watson's caddies Neil Oxman confirmed it.
Also agree that he didn't want to risk a 60 footer with a 9 iron.
Doug Sanders had the biggest gag in a major...ironically after an all world sand save on the Road hole.
Daley should have been given the putt- there was obviously some sort of mechanical problem that went beyond ''rub of the green. But ''fair'', and especially ''commn sense'' arenot part of the PGAT.
If Irwin got an invite, then why didn;t Tom Kite to the Open at PB, after he won, arguably , the most difficult open ever played. No favoratism at the USGA.
I think dbh nailed it. His moment of weakness came in that last stroke, showing, I guess, that even the best have those ''sinking feelings'' sometimes when just another minute of confidence wold have sealed the deal.
And Chico...I didn't follow it as much back then, and I didn't realze he was shown more for his short game than his iron play. Mostly I read about how hisputting was awesome before it got shaky- the TV folks railed on that over and over as I started watching in the md-late 80's.
Funny, he and I are the same age, but i think of his as much older than me. guess he doesn't listen to Iggy Azalia.
As to the earlier question about who is paying for the exporatory run...t would have to be the association, not TW or the players. I'm guessing he is trying to coordinate it with peole being in Europe for the Open already. Any word over there?
I agree Watson was playing wonderful coming down the last. I just get the feeling Nicklaus in the same situation, would have played away from the bunker and settled for the middle of the green.
@digs, that's the first I've heard of the Cink story and the 20 min toilet break. Makes Watson's breakdowns in the 4 hole playoff more understandable. At 59 and losing the adrenalin edge, damn, no wonder his legs were gone.
I got to see a lot of Snead up close in early 1970's, amazing athlete. Caddied in his group twice, he was a ballstriking machine, not very good with the side saddle stroke though.
As for ´09, he couldn't and shouldn't have played his second shot into 18 any differently. He caught a small downslope, simple as that. There was no room to the right to bail out, and a nine-iron might have have stopped well short of the green. The right shot, but a horrible break. But somewhere in a parallel universe in which his ball pitched 18 inches shorter, people are dissing golf because a 59-year-old won the sport's grandest championship.
Sorry, not from Kent. But would welcome an invite as your hickory partner nonetheless! Stateside residence in Pinehurst. Not a bad alternative from Royal Cinque Ports however.
Have clubs, will travel!