US Open – 20 Top Triumphs and Upsets to Remember

#11: Tom Watson’s clutch play down the stretch elevated him to the only US Open win of his career.

Pebble Beach is one of those courses that seems to bring out the best in the best, and that certainly rang true at the 1982 US Open. Thanks to an impressive surge late in the day, Tom Watson bested Jack Nicklaus in a nail-biting finish, writing an essential chapter of their unforgettable rivalry.

Watson was probably the favorite heading into the week, but he didn’t rise to the top of the leaderboard until he shot a blistering 68 on Saturday. Starting the final round three strokes behind, Nicklaus wasn’t expected to be a big factor on Sunday, but the Golden Bear came out swinging. He made five straight birdies between the third and seventh holes to take the outright lead, only to fall back into a tie after bogeying eight.

He was even par for the rest of his round. After a birdie at 11, Watson held the lead for much of the back nine, but a bogey at 16 put him even with Nicklaus. The Kansas City native saved the best for last, however, and on the par-three 17th, he holed out for birdie after finding the deep rough with his tee shot.

With his confidence soaring, Watson birdied the last for an impressive two stroke victory. It was the only US Open title of his storied career.

Next: 2011: Rory McIlroy