Tom Watson – Chip In – #17 Pebble Beach – 1982 US Open
For an amazing golf shot to be considered a truly “great” shot it must have context.
Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus had some memorable tussles in Major championships of the late 1970s and early 80s and their encounter in the 1982 US Open at Pebble Beach was one of the best. Nicklaus, playing two holes ahead of Watson, fought his way into contention with a burst of 5 consecutive birdies early in the round and as he was completed at #18 Tom dropped a shot at #16 to fall to a tie with him. The 17th hole at Pebble Beach is a devilish 200 yard par 3 on the edge of the Pacific Ocean that requires a precise long iron to a shallow green protected by deep bunkers and thick rough. Watson’s 2 Iron tee shot looked good in the air but drew just too far, it hit the green but ran through into the deep wiry rough. Whilst this drama was being played out Nicklaus was watching on television and offered the opinion that Watson couldn’t get up and down. Legend has it that Tom’s caddy gave him his sand wedge and told him to “Get it close.” Watson is credited with replying “Bruce, I’m not trying to get this close. I’m going to make it”. Tom Watson was always a brisk player so after 2 quick practice stroke he popped the ball up with an open faced chop just onto the putting surface, it ran out to the hole, rattled the flag and dropped into the hole for birdie to take a one stroke lead. Watson went on the claim his only US Open title.
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