After that near miss at the 1984 Open Watson has challenged on numerous
occasions but has not managed to add to that fine haul of eight majors.
Perhaps the closest he has come was in the 1987 US Open where he finished
in second place on two under par and just one stroke behind the winner
Scott Simpson. Another near miss was at the 1989 Open where he looked in
great shape to win his record equalling sixth claret jug after opening the
tournament with rounds of 69,68 & 68. He could only manage a level par 72
in the final round however and the chance was gone,his eleven under par total
two shots adrift of Calcavecchia,Grady and Norman who went into a play-off.
Later that same year Tom returned to Ryder Cup action,after an absence of six
years,and contributed 1 1/2 points from a possible three in a 14-14 draw.
In 1991 he enjoyed a fine Masters tournament but had to settle for a tie for
third place on nine under par. Watson opened the event with two sparkling
rounds of 68 but slipped away once more with a 70 & 73 to finish two strokes
behind the little Welshman Ian Woosnam. In 1993 Tom was handed the great
honour of the Ryder Cup captaincy and responded by leading his team to a
15-13 triumph at the Belfry. He was victorious in the 1996 Memorial Tournament,
which was his first success since his win at the 1987 Nabisco Championship,and
he also lifted the 1998 MasterCard Colonial. As the sands of time pass by it is
unlikely that Tom Watson will ever taste success in a major again,even if that is
the case he will most certainly go down as one of the all-time greats.
(David Scranage)