Watson's magical British Open run still inspires
By Melanie Hauser, PGATOUR.COM Correspondent
THE WOODLANDS, Texas -- We can't tell you the specifics because, well, the parties involved want to keep it quiet.
Hush, hush. Just between them. One legend to another.
But we can tell you the back story and what the gist of the conversation was between Arnold Palmer and Tom Watson Thursday afternoon on The Woodlands' putting green.
Let's just say it was one of those putting tips for the ages. A sure-fire way to help Watson get the ball started on the right line and watch it dive into the hole. When he remembers to do it.
"I just got him thinking about the line a little more,'' said Palmer, who kept his eyes on Watson from the GOLF CHANNEL booth. "Nothing heavy. Just getting the ball started on the right line. He will putt better if he does that. I know that.''
This was the first chance Palmer, who just celebrated his 80th birthday with a week's worth of celebrations, had gotten to visit with Watson since the latter came oh-so close to winning his sixth British Open in July.
We need not go into details. Watson could have -- maybe should have -- won that Open Championship, but he didn't. It all came down to a shot that sailed over the pin and a putt on the 72nd hole. A putt he missed.
"I watched him putt the ball at the British Open and that made me think I needed to talk to him a little,'' Palmer said. "I just brought it back from that and I told him that was what he needed to do.
"I thought the kind of golf he played, he deserved to win. That's a reason we went to this putting business because that shouldn't have been the thing that stopped him.''
Watson used the tip Friday on his way to an opening 3-under 69 at the Administaff Small Business Classic.
"It was a good tip,'' Watson grinned. "It was coming from the King.
"I've been told different things about how to line up, how to start the ball how to aim it. It's simply an aiming tool.''
He paused. "It helps if you do it.''
And Palmer watched Watson miss at least one putt Friday when he found himself shaking his head and saying, "He didn't do it.''
But he will.
Watson is nursing a cold this week, but it hasn't stopped people from crowding around and reminding him just how much that magical week at Turnberry inspired them.
Heck, they've been doing it ever since he lost that four-hole playoff to Stewart Cink. And some of them had no idea who he was until that week.
"I'll tell you what's happened, a lot of people come up to me -- surprisingly a lot of young people -- said 'I watched you, that was pretty cool,' '' he said. " I'm old enough to be your grandfather and you're out there watching me play golf against the kids.
"No question it humbles you at the number of responses, and the content of the responses have a theme to it: 'You gave me hope, Watson. If you can do it, I can do it.'''
They talk to him about golf and life. And he doesn't mind a bit. Giving back, inspiring is what it's all about.
Watson, who was honored with the Dave Marr Award Thursday night for integrity and sportsmanship, never showed his off-course passion more than he did in 2003 when his late caddie, Bruce Edwards, was diagnosed with ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis). Within a week, Watson was an expert in ALS. A year later, he was honored with the Charlie Bartlett Award after helping raise millions of dollars -- and awareness -- for ALS.
Thursday, he wore a bright pink shirt and cap. And yes, it was a statement. This, after all, is breast cancer awareness month.
"You need to use whatever tools you have to help people who can't help themselves,'' he said. "That's the bottom line. That's the way I look at life. If I can use my celebrity, that's what I should be doing.''
That and playing a lot more golf.
At 60, Watson still has it. Yes, Turnberry is his course. He loves it and it loves him. And St. Andrews in 2010 could produce another magic moment -- if the winds blow the right way. But let's not forget the Champions Tour.
Watson hasn't won this year, but he's come close with five top-10s -- four of them in Champions majors. The last one a runner-up finish to Jay Haas at the Constellation Energy Senior Players Championship -- by a shot. He was leading, in fact, midway through the final round.
He's playing in Houston for the first time since 1986 when he finished third behind Curtis Strange at the then-Houston Open. Right here at The Woodlands.
Watson remembered some of the holes during his first practice round. And he really remembers the narrow greens at the 11th and 16th -- "the narrowest greens on the Tour.''
His best putt of the opening round? A 20-footer at the 13th. He sank two more birdies on the back and said he got more than he should have out of the round.
"I'm OK with 3 under,'' he said. "Way I scored, that was above average for way I played."
With two days left, he's hopeful. Especially if he can get his cold under control and remember to remember Palmer's tip.
After his round, he walked the fence line signing autographs and, by just being there, that's inspiration.
He'll tell you he was just at the right place at the right time at Turnberry, but it was more than that. He couldn't sleep that Sunday night and thought about passing on a practice round at Sunningdale for the Senior British Open. But he didn't.
"I needed to get on with it,'' he said.
So he did. And we remember that as much as what didn't happen that Sunday afternoon. So does he.
"It's pretty cool at 60 years old to have kids 12 and 13 saying, 'Watson, or Mr. Watson, I liked what I saw,' '' he said. "That's pretty neat.''
Melanie Hauser is a freelance columnist for PGATOUR.COM. Her views do not necessarily reflect the views of the PGA TOUR.
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