Tom Watson

On a September 4th day in Kansas City, Missouri, a legend was born. Tom Watson didn’t know as a baby that he would turn out to be a hero and mentor in the eyes of many people. Tom Watson didn’t know that he would become one of the greatest golfers of all time.

Tom Watson Jonathan Palombo / CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia

As a young golfer at Stanford University, Watson developed the nickname Huckleberry Dillinger for the way he looked with his innocent freckled face. That name didn’t fit his personality because of his fierce and determined attitude on the course. After college, he joined the PGA Tour. On the tour he developed a reputation of choking under pressure. "A lot of guys who have never choked have never been in the position to do so," said Watson. Finally, after years of criticism, he won the 1975 British Open. He didn’t stop there; by 1983 he had won a total of five British Opens, two Masters, and one U.S. Open.

Sadly, the glory days had to end. By missing some key puts and playoffs, Watson just wasn't the same. Despite his game fading, he decided to still play on the Champions Tour and he became one of the most loved players by fans. Still living in Kansas City, Watson created and designed the course called The National. He also created The Deuce at the National and donated thousands of dollars to charities, along with his caddy, Bruce Edwards.

Then in 2003, came one of the toughest moments in his career. Bruce was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease. That didn’t stop Watson as he co-founded an organization called Driving 4 Life. The organization fought the disease ALS. Tom himself donated $1 million dollars to the foundation. Later that year Bruce passed away.

Tom Watson fought through criticism over the years and never gave up. By his own determination, he became one of golf’s best players. Not only was he a great player, but he also helped out the community and become a great icon to many people. Tom showed many great attributes in his life and that is why he is my hero.

The following story was added by The MY HERO Project in 2024:

In 2009, Watson competed in the Open Championship. Had he won, it would have been his sixth Open title, and he would have become the oldest winner of the Open Champion in history.[1] However, Watson lost to fellow American pro-golfer Stewart Clink in a four-hole aggregate playoff. Following the loss, Watson said:

It would have been a hell of a story, wouldn't it. It wasn't to be and yes it was a great disappointment. It tears your gut, as it always has torn at my gut. It's not easy to take.[2]

The following year, Watson competed in the 2010 Masters tournament, placing eighteenth. Later that year the United States Golf Association (USGA) granted Watson a special exemption (allowing him to compete in a tournament without qualifying) for the 2010 U.S. Open, owing to his performances in 2009 and 2010 as well as his 1982 victory at the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach.[3]  He placed in a tie for 29^th.

The special exemption granted by the USGA was later extended for the 2015 Open Championship, enabling Watson to compete at the Open for a final time. Though he missed the cut (meaning he did not qualify to continue after the second round), he was met with explosive applause as he waved to his fans at the end of his Open career; on this, Watson said, “The fans were so appreciative and their applause made me feel very humble.”[4]

Though he was no longer competed in the full Masters Tournament, Watson competed in and won the 2018 Masters Tournament Par-3 contest at 68 years old, making him the oldest person to win the competition. He made his final ever appearance at a competitive event in 2019 at the Senior British Open.