Raymond Floyd vs Tom Watson
Tom Watson: eight major titles, five Open Championships, and a legendary rivalry with Jack Nicklaus.
Tom Watson is an American professional golfer who won eight major championships, including five Open Championships, two Masters titles, and one U.S. Open. He was the number one player in the world from 1978 to 1982 and spent 32 weeks in the top 10 of the Sony Rankings in 1986.
Quick Facts
- Primary tour
- PGA Tour
- Major wins floyd
- 6
- Major wins watson
- 5
- Famous match
- 1982 U.S. Open
- Status
- Retired Legends
Lore & Background
Watson's rivalry with Jack Nicklaus defined an era, with notable victories at the 1977 Masters, 1977 Open Championship, and 1982 U.S. Open. He also led after the second and third rounds of the 2009 Open Championship at nearly age 60, but lost in a playoff to Stewart Cink.
Reader's Guide
Watson is regarded as one of the greatest links players, with five Open Championship victories, runner-up finishes in 1984 and 2009, and three Senior British Open titles (2003, 2005, 2007). He played on four Ryder Cup teams and captained the U.S. to victory in 1993 and a loss in 2014.
Did You Know?
- Watson won eight major championships, ranking sixth all-time behind Nicklaus, Woods, Hagen, Hogan, and Player.
- He won the 1975 Open Championship on his first appearance in Britain, one of only four post-WWII players to do so.
- Watson's 1977 Open Championship victory at Turnberry is considered by many the finest tournament of the 20th century.
- He missed an 8-foot putt on the 72nd hole of the 2009 Open Championship that would have won the tournament.
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