Twenty questions with eight-time Major winner Tom Watson
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1. When did you first shoot under par?
I was 12 years old and shot 71 at a short course in Northern Michigan. The first time I shot under par at my home club, Kansas City Country Club, was when I was 13 and I shot 67. That was a special day.
2. Best shot of your career?
The shot I’m most proud of is the 2-iron at Birkdale in 1983 on the final hole. The chips were down and I made it easy on myself by hitting a perfect 2-iron to 15 feet.
3. One mulligan you’d like to have?
At 2009 on the last hole, I would wait until the wind died a little bit. I hit the shot the way I wanted to, but the outcome wasn’t what I expected. It went over the green and I failed to get it up and down.
4. Favourite course?
Pebble Beach. I love the variety and the beauty of the course.
5. Favourite hole?
16th at Cypress Point. There’s a spectacular view over the ocean and an incredibly difficult shot. It’s the hole you’re thinking about as you play that course.
6. Favourite view in golf?
The 16th tee at Cypress Point.
7. Any golf superstitions?
I always carry three coins in my pocket. I use them as markers.
8. Favourite club?
Right now it’s the driver. It used to be my putter but my putter’s probably my least favourite club at the moment because I can’t putt very well anymore.
9. Key to your swing?
Keeping my shoulder plane the same on the backswing and downswing. Not dropping under too much and getting my right shoulder too low at impact.
10. Favourite non-golf sporting event?
I enjoy college basketball. I love the intensity with which they play.
11. Favourite sports team?
I like my home teams: the Kansas City Royals (baseball) and the Kansas City Chiefs (American football).
12. Favourite male sportsman?
Roger Federer. He’s had a long career and he’s a class act.
13. Favourite film?
Charly. Cliff Robinson won an Academy award for it back in the 60s. It’s a wonderful story about a man who got a reprieve on life.
14. Favourite musician or group?
I like classical, country and some pop, but I like jazz the most. You go way back and it’s the great piano players like Oscar Peterson. Benny Goodman. Artie Shaw. People like that could really light it up.
15. Favourite TV show?
I don’t have time to watch TV shows. I’ll watch football or baseball on TV, if I can’t get to the game.
16. Favourite holiday destination?
I don’t get to spend enough time at home, so when I get time off I spend it there.
17. Who would be your dream foursome?
Stan Thirsk, Lee Trevino and Jack Nicklaus. I love them.
18. How many aces have you had?
Sixteen.
19. Can you remember your first one?
I was 12 or 13 and made it at the 2nd hole of the Kansas City Country Club.
20. If you hadn’t been a golfer, what would you have done?
Knowing what I know now, I would have liked to have been a surgeon.
