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Best Golfers: Ranking the 10 greatest short games all-time

By Christopher O'Day

AUCHTERARDER, SCOTLAND - SEPTEMBER 26: Phil Mickelson (L) of the United States talks with captain Tom Watson on the 6th tee during the Morning Fourballs of the 2014 Ryder Cup on the PGA Centenary course at the Gleneagles Hotel on September 26, 2014 in Auchterarder, Scotland. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
AUCHTERARDER, SCOTLAND - SEPTEMBER 26: Phil Mickelson (L) of the United States talks with captain Tom Watson on the 6th tee during the Morning Fourballs of the 2014 Ryder Cup on the PGA Centenary course at the Gleneagles Hotel on September 26, 2014 in Auchterarder, Scotland. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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Open Championship history Carnoustie
ST ANDREWS, SCOTLAND – JULY 17: Tom Watson of the United States waves to the crowd from Swilcan Bridge in honor of his final Open Championship appearance during the second round of the 144th Open Championship at The Old Course on July 17, 2015 in St Andrews, Scotland. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images) /

Best Golfers #3: Tom Watson

There’s a reason that this man has his own line of wedges. I have a Watson 56 degree sand wedge personally, and I love it. Things like that don’t always go hand in hand, but in this case, one of the greatest to ever do it sure made some nice wedges as well.

Back in 1982, Watson hit a fabulous chip at Pebble on the 17th during the U.S. Open. It was during the final round, and he was dueling with none other than the Golden Bear himself, Jack Nicklaus. Facing a difficult chip, Watson’s caddie at the time, Bruce Edwards knew it was tough. He told Watson to get it close, which led to Watson’s famous response of “Get it close? Hell, I’m going to sink it.”

Sink it he did, rattling it home for birdie, leading to a two-stroke victory after another birdie on 18. This would be Watson’s sixth major, with two more to follow.

He was such a fantastic player around the green, that for many years if a player escaped from trouble and somehow made a par, that it would be called a Watson Par. His ability to play with spectacular skill around the green, paired with his outstanding play during poor weather made him a difficult foe for anyone to take down when the weather took a turn for the worse.

It makes sense then that Watson was able to win the Open Championship five different times, over a short stretch of time as well. His wins came in 1975, 77, 80, 82, and 83. His ability to make magic happen around the green helped him stick around longer than almost any other golfer.

Watson had a shot to win the 2009 Open Championship and became the oldest player to hold a lead after any completed round at a Major, as well as oldest to hold a lead after 54 holes. At 60 years old, Watson was able to recall that magic touch around the green to keep up with players half his age, albeit losing in a playoff to Stewart Cink.

Never the biggest player or longest off the tee, Watson became one of the best golfers of all time because of his wedge work, and his fantastic short game exploits.

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